Sickness absence due to common mental disorders in young employees in Sweden: are there differences in occupational class and employment sector?

Emma Björkenstam,Marianna Virtanen,Magnus Helgesson,Klas Gustafsson,Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz,Linda L Magnusson Hanson

doi:10.1007/s00127-021-02152-3

Abstract

BackgroundA large proportion of sickness absence (SA) in young adults is due to common mental disorders (CMDs). Still studies on CMD-related SA in young workers are lacking, especially studies for those employed in the private sector. The current study investigated the associations between sector of employment, occupational class and SA due to CMDs. In addition, associations between type of employment branch and SA due CMDs within each sector were examined.MethodsThis population-based longitudinal cohort study included 663,583 employees, 19–29 years, residing in Sweden in 2009. Employment sector (i.e., private/public) and occupational class (non-manual/manual workers) were measured in 2009. Risk estimates of SA due to CMDs, between 2010 and 2016, were calculated as Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), using Cox regression analysis.ResultsSector of employment was associated with SA due to CMDs, such that public sector workers had an elevated risk when compared with private sector employees (adjusted HR: 1.31 (95% CI 1.29–1.33). Moreover, manual workers had a slightly elevated risk for SA due to CMDs compared to non-manual workers. Within the private sector, in both manual and non-manual workers, those employed in education and health and social services evidenced the highest rates and risks of SA due to CMDs.ConclusionSector of employment and occupational class play a role in SA due to CMDs in young employees. These findings should be considered when identifying high-risk groups for SA in the young working population.

Highlights

Over the past decades, research has shown that the rates of common mental disorders (CMDs), i.e., depressive, anxiety and stress-related disorders, are high in young adults in many Western countries, including Sweden [1]
Sector of employment was associated with sickness absence (SA) due to CMDs (Table 3), such that public sector employees had an elevated risk when compared with individuals employed in the private sector [adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) for SA: 1.31 and for long-term sickness absence (LTSA): 1.29]
In both manual and non-manual workers, those employed in education and health and social services evidenced the highest rates and risks of SA due to CMDs

Summary

Introduction

Research has shown that the rates of common mental disorders (CMDs), i.e., depressive, anxiety and stress-related disorders, are high in young adults in many Western countries, including Sweden [1]. Employment sector (i.e., private/public) and occupational class (non-manual/manual workers) were measured in 2009. In both manual and non-manual workers, those employed in education and health and social services evidenced the highest rates and risks of SA due to CMDs. Conclusion Sector of employment and occupational class play a role in SA due to CMDs in young employees. Conclusion Sector of employment and occupational class play a role in SA due to CMDs in young employees These findings should be considered when identifying high-risk groups for SA in the young working population

Methods

Results

Conclusion