Physical workload, long-term sickness absence, and the role of social capital: Multi-level analysis of a large occupation cohort
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Standard
Physical workload, long-term sickness absence, and the role of social capital : Multi-level analysis of a large occupation cohort. / Török, Eszter; Clark, Alice Jessie; Ersbøll, Annette Kjær; Bjorner, Jakob Bue; Holtermann, Andreas; Rugulies, Reiner; Lamontagne, Anthony D.; Milner, Allison; Rod, Naja Hulvej.
In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2020, p. 373-381.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical workload, long-term sickness absence, and the role of social capital
T2 - Multi-level analysis of a large occupation cohort
AU - Török, Eszter
AU - Clark, Alice Jessie
AU - Ersbøll, Annette Kjær
AU - Bjorner, Jakob Bue
AU - Holtermann, Andreas
AU - Rugulies, Reiner
AU - Lamontagne, Anthony D.
AU - Milner, Allison
AU - Rod, Naja Hulvej
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Objectives This study determined the prospective relation between physical workload and long-term sickness absence (LTSA) and examined if work-unit social capital may buffer the effect of high physical workload on LTSA. Methods We included 28 925 participants from the Danish Well-being in HospitAL Employees (WHALE) cohort, and followed them for two years. Physical workload and social capital were self-reported and categorized into low, medium, and high. Physical workload was analyzed on the individual level, whereas social capital was analyzed on the work-unit level. LTSA data were obtained from the employers’ payroll system. We performed two-level logistic regression analyses: joint-effect and stratified analyses adjusted for baseline covariates. Results High versus low physical workload was associated with a higher risk of LTSA [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40–1.72]. There was a multiplicative interaction (P=0.007) and a tendency of sub-additive interaction [relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI)-0.49, 95% CI-1.03–0.06] between physical workload and social capital. Doubly exposed employees had the highest risk of LTSA (OR 2.45; 95% CI 2.02–2.98), but this effect was smaller than expected from the sum of their main effects. Conclusions We found a prospective relation between physical workload and LTSA but no evidence of high social capital buffering the effect of high physical workload. High physical workload was a risk factor for LTSA at all levels of social capital and employees exposed to both exposures had the highest risk of LTSA. Interventions should aim at both improving social capital and reducing physical workload in order to efficiently prevent LTSA.
AB - Objectives This study determined the prospective relation between physical workload and long-term sickness absence (LTSA) and examined if work-unit social capital may buffer the effect of high physical workload on LTSA. Methods We included 28 925 participants from the Danish Well-being in HospitAL Employees (WHALE) cohort, and followed them for two years. Physical workload and social capital were self-reported and categorized into low, medium, and high. Physical workload was analyzed on the individual level, whereas social capital was analyzed on the work-unit level. LTSA data were obtained from the employers’ payroll system. We performed two-level logistic regression analyses: joint-effect and stratified analyses adjusted for baseline covariates. Results High versus low physical workload was associated with a higher risk of LTSA [odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40–1.72]. There was a multiplicative interaction (P=0.007) and a tendency of sub-additive interaction [relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI)-0.49, 95% CI-1.03–0.06] between physical workload and social capital. Doubly exposed employees had the highest risk of LTSA (OR 2.45; 95% CI 2.02–2.98), but this effect was smaller than expected from the sum of their main effects. Conclusions We found a prospective relation between physical workload and LTSA but no evidence of high social capital buffering the effect of high physical workload. High physical workload was a risk factor for LTSA at all levels of social capital and employees exposed to both exposures had the highest risk of LTSA. Interventions should aim at both improving social capital and reducing physical workload in order to efficiently prevent LTSA.
KW - Collaboration
KW - Effect modification
KW - Healthcare
KW - Justice
KW - Key terms buffer
KW - Stress
KW - Trust
KW - Work environment
U2 - 10.5271/sjweh.3874
DO - 10.5271/sjweh.3874
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 31840767
AN - SCOPUS:85087361676
VL - 46
SP - 373
EP - 381
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
SN - 0355-3140
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 244364924