Multi-Study Spotlight: Predictors of Sickness Absence

h2. Spotlight on article published in

h2. "+Journal of Clinical Epidemiology+":http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0895435607001485

_IBI Spotlights call attention to important health and productivity findings from peer-reviewed work by external researchers. Unless otherwise stated, the authors are not affiliated with IBI, nor was the research executed on IBI’s behalf. IBI members are encouraged to obtain the original articles from the copyright holder._

h2. What is the Issue?

Work absences due to psychosocial factors at work (e.g., job control, decision latitude, satisfaction) are common. Planning for a randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of interventions required knowledge about predictors of this type of sickness absence.

h2. What are the findings/solutions?

* Burnout, low job control, low decision latitude and perceptions of unfairness in the workplace increased the likelihood of sickness absence
* Interventions that target psychosocial working conditions or worker resilience can potentially reduce sickness absence.

h2. Journal Citation

Duijts, S. F., Kant, I., Swaen, G. M., van den Brandt, P. A., & Zeegers, M. (2007). A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies Identifies Predictors of Sickness Absence. _Journal of Clinical Epidemiology_, 60(11), 1105-1115.

h2. Objectives

To identify psychosocial predictors type of sickness absence.

h2. Method

A meta-analysis of 20 peer-reviewed articles to identify the demographic, personal, health, mental health, work-psychosocial and organizational contributors to sickness absence. The studies focused on employees across several industries and occupations. All studies used self-administered questionnaires for the predictive factors. Eighteen studies used employer’s records of sickness absence, two used self-reports. All studies except one were conducted in Europe. Studies looking at both medically uncertified absences (≤ 3 days) and medically certified absences (> 3 days) were included.

h2. Results

The likelihood of medically certified or uncertified sickness absence was significantly higher among employees who suffered from burnout, had low job control or low decision latitude, or who experienced low fairness at work.

h2. Conclusion

The authors conclude that the collective results of the studies point to useful directions for public health interventions that improve various aspects of psychosocial health and reduce sickness absence.