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Interaction Effects of Physical and Psychosocial Working Conditions on Risk for Sickness Absence: A Prospective Study of Nurses and Care Assistants in Sweden

Author

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  • Magnus Helgesson

    (Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Staffan Marklund

    (Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Klas Gustafsson

    (Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Gunnar Aronsson

    (Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Constanze Leineweber

    (Department of Psychology, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

Employees in health and social care are often simultaneously exposed to both physical and psychosocial challenges that may increase their risk for sickness absence. The study examines interaction effects of physical and psychosocial work conditions on the future risk for sickness absence among nurses and care assistants in Sweden. The study was based on 14,372 participants in any of the Swedish Work Environment Surveys conducted during the years 1993–2013 with linked register information on background factors and compensated sickness absence. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR), stratified by occupation, and measures of additive interaction effects were estimated. The combinations of high psychosocial job demands and heavy physical work and strenuous postures, respectively, significantly increased the risks for sickness absence among nurses (HR 1.43; CI 1.09–1.88 and HR 1.42; CI 1.16–1.74, respectively), as well as among care assistants (HR 1.51; CI 1.36–1.67 and HR 1.49; CI 1.36–1.63, respectively). The combinations of low job control and both heavy physical work (HR 1.44; CI 1.30–1.60) and strenuous postures (HR 1.42; CI 1.30–1.56) were also associated with excess risk for sickness absence among care assistants. We also found interaction effects among care assistants but not among nurses. The results indicate that the high sickness absence rate among care workers in Sweden can be reduced if the simultaneous exposures of high psychosocial and high physical challenges are avoided. Management policies for reduced time pressure, improved lifting aids, and measures to avoid awkward work postures are recommended. For care assistants, increased influence over work arrangements is likely to lower their sickness absence risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Magnus Helgesson & Staffan Marklund & Klas Gustafsson & Gunnar Aronsson & Constanze Leineweber, 2020. "Interaction Effects of Physical and Psychosocial Working Conditions on Risk for Sickness Absence: A Prospective Study of Nurses and Care Assistants in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-15, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7427-:d:426808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Carole Pélissier & Barbara Charbotel & Jean Baptiste Fassier & Emmanuel Fort & Luc Fontana, 2018. "Nurses’ Occupational and Medical Risks Factors of Leaving the Profession in Nursing Homes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Lars Louis Andersen & Jonas Vinstrup & Ebbe Villadsen & Kenneth Jay & Markus Due Jakobsen, 2019. "Physical and Psychosocial Work Environmental Risk Factors for Back Injury among Healthcare Workers: Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-10, November.
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    1. Thomas E. Dorner & Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz & Magnus Helgesson & Tea Lallukka & Jenni Ervasti & Konstantinos Pazarlis & Annina Ropponen & Pia Svedberg & Mo Wang & Syed Rahman, 2021. "Diagnosis-Specific Work Disability before and after Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery—A Register Study from Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, August.

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