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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-10-2013 | Original Article

A one-item workability measure mediates work demands, individual resources and health in the prediction of sickness absence

Authors: Sannie Vester Thorsen, Hermann Burr, Finn Diderichsen, Jakob Bue Bjorner

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 7/2013

Abstract

Objectives

The study tested the hypothesis that a one-item workability measure represented an assessment of the fit between resources (the individuals’ physical and mental health and functioning) and workplace demands and that this resource/demand fit was a mediator in the prediction of sickness absence. We also estimated the relative importance of health and work environment for workability and sickness absence.

Methods

Baseline data were collected within a Danish work and health survey (3,214 men and 3,529 women) and followed up in a register of sickness absence. Probit regression analysis with workability as mediator was performed for a binary outcome of sickness absence. The predictors in the analysis were as follows: age, social class, physical health, mental health, number of diagnoses, ergonomic exposures, occupational noise, exposure to risks, social support from supervisor, job control and quantitative demands.

Results

High age, poor health and ergonomic exposures were associated with low workability and mediated by workability to sickness absence for both genders. Low social class and low quantitative demands were associated with low workability and mediated to sickness absence among men. The mediated part was from 11 to 63 % of the total effect for the significant predictors.

Conclusion

Workability mediated health, age, social class and ergonomic exposures in the prediction of sickness absence. The health predictors had the highest association with both workability and sickness absence; physical work environment was higher associated with the outcomes than psychosocial work environment. However, the explanatory value of the predictors for the variance in the model was low.

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Title: A one-item workability measure mediates work demands, individual resources and health in the prediction of sickness absence
Authors: Sannie Vester Thorsen
Hermann Burr
Finn Diderichsen
Jakob Bue Bjorner
Publication date: 01-10-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0807-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

A one-item workability measure mediates work demands, individual resources and health in the prediction of sickness absence

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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