Sickness absences among young employees in private and public sectors

Abstract

Abstract Background Mental health problems among young adults is a public health problem as well as increasing work incapacity in terms of sickness absence (SA) due to mental diagnoses in Sweden. SA levels among those working in the public sector tend to exceed those working in the private sector. Knowledge is however lacking on whether experiencing mental health problems in young years can contribute to the association. The aim was to examine the association between type of employment and sickness absence among women and men, also adjusting for previously experienced depression and anxiety as well as for familial factors. Methods The study included data on 25,496 twins born in Sweden 1959-1990. Information on depression and anxiety as well as on type of employment was obtained from a web-based survey conducted in 2005. Twins were followed prospectively until 2013 through national register data on SA. Logistic regression analyses were run with adjustment for familial factors, such as common genetics and environmental factors related to the family. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) are presented. Results Higher rates of SA in the public (59%) as compared to the private (50%) sector were observed among women. There were 29% and 30% of men in public and private sectors, respectively, that have had at least one SA spell during the follow-up. Preliminary results showed that working in the private sector was associated with a higher risk for future SA among women (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14-2.33) but not among men (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.41-1.07). The results changed only slightly after adjusting for previous depression or anxiety as well as for familial factors. Conclusions Higher rates of SA among women working in the public as compared to the private sector were not explained by previously experienced depression or anxiety disorders. Key messages Higher rates of SA were observed among women working in public as compared to private sector. Previously experienced depression and anxiety were of similar importance for future SA in both public and private sectors.