Functions of Social Gatherings Involving Alcohol Consumption with Coworkers in Korea

Abstract

Focusing on alcohol-involved social gatherings (i.e. drinking parties), the current study examined the reasons for and outcomes of joining drinking parties and evaluations of them. In studies 1 and 2, Korean workers (n^87) employed in the civil engineering industry and undergraduates (n^103) from various engineering majors provided desirable and undesirable reasons for and outcomes of joining drinking parties with their colleagues (coworkers for working adults and school friends for undergraduates). In studies 3 and 4, Korean workers (n^102) and undergraduates (n^89) evaluated each of the outcomes as either social, personal, or both. In study 5, Korean workers (n^108) and undergraduates (n^111) evaluated how good or bad each outcome type would be. Findings showed that among the five types of the drinking party participation outcomes, the conversation category and the work-/school-life category were the ones for which working adults and undergraduates had similar evaluations. For the group, the hierarchical relationship, and the drinking categories, however, working adults and undergraduates had different evaluations. These and other findings are presented in detail, and the implications thereof are discussed.