Work-related stress and future sick leave in a working population seeking care at primary health care centres: a prospective longitudinal study using the WSQ

Abstract

Background Studying the relationship between work-related stress and sick leave is valuable in identifying and assessing employees at risk of sick leave, but also in developing interventions and taking actions for workers’ health. The overall aim of this study was to analyse the association between work-related stress, measured with the work stress questionnaire (WSQ), and registered sick leave in a working population seeking care at primary health care centres in Sweden. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was performed with 232 employed patients aged 18–64 years seeking care for mental and/or physical health complaints at seven primary health care centres. Bivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for educational level, occupational class and marital status was performed using questionnaire data on work-related stress and sociodemographic factors collected between May 2015 until January 2016 together with registered sick leave data from a national database. Results High stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts was reported by 21% (n = 49), while 45% (n = 105) reported high stress due to individual demands and commitment. Thirty-six percent were on sick leave for 15 days or more during 12 months after baseline. The odds of being on registered sick leave during this period was approximately twice as high for patients perceiving high stress due to indistinct organization and conflicts (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.18;4.26), high stress due to individual demands and commitment (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.28;3.82), low influence at work (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.20;3.57), or high interference between work and leisure time (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.27;3.80). Perceiving high stress due to both indistinct organization and conflicts as well as individual demands and commitment quadrupled the odds of sick leave, OR 4.15 (95% CI 1.84; 9.38). Conclusions Work-related stress and sick leave were prevalent among the patients. Perceiving one or more of the work-related stressors and stress increased the odds of registered sick leave between two to four times. Hence, to capture the dynamic interaction between the individual and the work environment, a wide spectrum of factors must be considered. In addition, primary health care could be a suitable arena for preventing sick leave due to work-related stress. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT02480855. Registered 20 May 2015.

Profiles of women who have suffered occupational accidents in cleaning: perceived health, psychosocial risks, and personality variables

“…Furthermore, there are other factors that could play an important role such as psychosocial risks that must be considered to preserve health and safety at workplace and to prevent work-related accidents. Psychosocial risks are the interactions between the content of the position, the work organization and management, and other environmental and organizational conditions, on the one hand, and the competencies and needs of employees on the other (Hultén et al 2022 ; Helgesson et al 2020 ). In fact, recent investigations support the influence of psychosocial risks on workers' health and its association with disorders, such as burnout, mobbing, stress, or depression (Roohani and Iravani 2020 ; Rayan et al 2019 ).…”

Defining work-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (W-CBT) and whether it is effective at facilitating return to work for people experiencing mental health conditions: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

“…On the other hand, not all work is beneficial for people’s health (Taouk et al, 2020). For example, work-related stressors are associated with an increased likelihood of sick leave from work (Hultén et al, 2023; Hulten et al, 2022). Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that good work is generally good for health and wellbeing (Harrex and Chase, 2022) and long-term leave from work can be detrimental to businesses, employers, individuals, families, and society.…”

More than Just Workload—Personnel’s Perspective on Workload at the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee

“…9 In this regard, understanding and managing the workload are essential. 10 When examining the occupational workload, Bowling et al 11 (2012) signify the importance of differentiating between the actual and perceived workload. Perceived workload may differ from the actual workload depending on individual capacity.…”