Is combining human service work with family caregiving associated with additional odds of emotional exhaustion and sickness absence? A cross-sectional study based on a Swedish cohort

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study is to examine to what extent human service work and family caregiving is associated with emotional exhaustion and sickness absence, and to what extent combining human service work and family caregiving is associated with additional odds. Methods Data were derived from participants in paid work from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health, year 2016 (n = 11 951). Logistic regression analyses were performed and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals estimated for the association between human service work and family caregiving, respectively, as well as combinations of the two on one hand, and emotional exhaustion and self-reported sickness absence on the other hand. Interaction between human service work and family caregiving was assessed as departure from additivity with Rothman's synergy index. Results Human service work was not associated with higher odds of emotional exhaustion, but with higher odds of sickness absence. Providing childcare was associated with higher odds of emotional exhaustion, but lower odds of sickness absence, and caring for a relative was associated with higher odds of both emotional exhaustion and sickness absence. There was no indication of an additive interaction between human service work and family caregiving in relation to neither emotional exhaustion nor sickness absence. Conclusions We did not find support for the common assumption that long hours providing service and care for others by combining human service work with family caregiving can explain the higher risk of sickness absence or emotional exhaustion among employees in human service occupations.

Work incapacity among family caregivers: a record linkage study

“…14 According to a Swedish study, caregivers providing high-intensity care were more likely to report longterm sickness absence than non-caregivers. 13 We are aware of two other studies that have examined the association between caregiving…”

“…[13][14][15][16] In a Swedish study, caregiving workers were more likely to report a longterm sickness absence than non-caregiving workers. 13 Further, a study on European working adults reported that among women, family caregivers had an increased risk of a long-term sickness absence, while among men, no associations were found. 14 However, these previous studies did not analyse the risk according to diagnostic causes of the sickness absences.…”

Gender Differences in the Work and Home Spheres for Teachers, and Longitudinal Associations with Depressive Symptoms in a Swedish Cohort

“…Demands and resources could also potentially fall outside the work context, stemming from the home sphere. Thus, multiple hours doing unpaid work during spare time, for example housework or caregiving, may be stressful and may take its toll on individuals' mental health (Drake et al, 2019). In accordance with the social role theory, population-based figures from several European countries show that women spend far more time doing unpaid work (e.g., housework and childcare) than men, despite working full time (Moreno-Colom, 2017;Väänänen et al, 2005).This is also the situation in Sweden, where married or cohabiting women spend more time on unpaid work than men do (Statistics Sweden, 2018).…”

“…Unpaid work and caring for others can be emotionally exhausting, but leisure activities, through possibilities for recovery, can help alleviate this exhaustion. Some studies support a link between time spent on caring for children or relatives and emotional exhaustion (Bekker et al, 2005;Drake et al, 2019). However, other studies do not show these patterns (Harryson et al, 2012;.…”

“…In addition, women spend more time doing unpaid work despite working full time (Moreno-Colom, 2017;Väänänen et al, 2005). Unpaid work such as housework and caring for children and other relatives could be a burden for teachers (Bekker et al, 2005;Drake et al, 2019), whereas leisure activities such as relaxation, socializing with friends, sports, or pursuing a hobby could promote recovery from work stressors .…”