Abstract
Background Previous studies on the effects of work factors on absence and disability retirement have only addressed a limited set of factors and little is known about the mechanisms that govern relationships between work exposures and sickness absence/disability retirement. The main aims of the present project are (1) to examine the impact of a comprehensive set of psychological, social, organizational, and mechanical work factors work factors on sickness absence and disability retirement, and (2) to identify moderating and mediating variables that determine how and when exposures at the workplace are related to sickness absence and disability retirement.Methods The study design is prospective and based on longitudinal survey data linked to registry data on sickness absence and disability. Altogether 14,501 respondents have given their permission to the linking of their survey questionnaire data to registry data. The project has been approved by the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics and has permission from The Norwegian Data Protection Authority. The questionnaire instruments contain psychometrically validated items and inventories on demographic background factors, work exposures, individual dispositions and attitudes, somatic health, mental distress, well-being, lifestyle factors, and work ability.DiscussionThe findings will have relevance for, and benefit working life and the larger society in a number of ways. Firstly, it will lead to a more knowledge about which work factors that contribute to health, sickness absence, and participation in/exit from the labour force. Secondly, a better understanding of which mediators and moderators that modify and govern these relationships. Both are central to the development of laws and regulations and to any political decision on measures to tackle sickness absence and early retirement.
Highlights
Previous studies on the effects of work factors on absence and disability retirement have only addressed a limited set of factors and little is known about the mechanisms that govern relationships between work exposures and sickness absence/disability retirement
Sickness absence and disability retirement can be considered as indicators of health status, and as markers of social, psychological and physical functioning for the working population (Niedhammer et al 2013; Marmot et al 1995; Kivimaki et al 2004)
This suggests that the identification of work factors that influence health and work ability, together with the mediating and moderating variables that can explain how and when work factors have an impact on individuals, are especially beneficial for reducing the rates of health problems, sickness absence and disability retirement
Summary
Previous studies on the effects of work factors on absence and disability retirement have only addressed a limited set of factors and little is known about the mechanisms that govern relationships between work exposures and sickness absence/disability retirement. A recent study of sickness absence in 31 countries in Europe concluded that preventive measures should take psychosocial work environment more comprehensively into account in order to reduce sickness absence and improve health at work (Niedhammer et al 2013). This suggests that the identification of work factors that influence health and work ability, together with the mediating and moderating variables that can explain how and when work factors have an impact on individuals, are especially beneficial for reducing the rates of health problems, sickness absence and disability retirement
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