Working Conditions and Long-Term Sickness Absence Due to Mental Disorders
Noora Heinonen, Tea Lallukka, Jouni Lahti, Olli Pietiläinen, Hilla Nordquist, Minna Mänty, Anu Katainen, Anne Kouvonen
Abstract
Objective: We examined associations between working conditions and long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders (LTSA-MD) among younger female public sector employees from different employment sectors. Methods: Survey data collected in 2017 ( n = 3048) among 19- to 39-year-old female employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, were used to examine job demands, job control, physical workload, computer work, and covariates. Register data on LTSA-MD were used over 1-year follow-up. Negative binomial regression models were applied. Results: Adverse psychosocial and physical working conditions were associated with higher LTSA-MD during the follow-up. Health and social care workers had the highest number of days of LTSA-MD. Conclusion: Working conditions are important factors when aiming to prevent LTSA-MD among younger employees, in the health and social care sector in particular.