The Effect of Mental Ill Health on Absence From Work in Different Occupational Classifications Analysis of Routine Data in the British Household Panel Survey

Citation

Whittaker W, Sutton M, Macdonald SR, Maxwell M, Smith M, Wilson P & Morrison J (2012) The Effect of Mental Ill Health on Absence From Work in Different Occupational Classifications Analysis of Routine Data in the British Household Panel Survey. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54 (12), pp. 1539-1544. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182677d12

Abstract
Objective: To investigate relationship of mental ill health to absence from work in different occupational classifications.Method: Examined sickness absence, mental health (GHQ-12), physical health, job characteristics, and personal characteristics in 18 waves of the British Household Panel Survey.Results: Overall sickness absence rate was 1.68%. Increased absence was associated with age greater than 45 years, female gender, lower occupational classification, and public-sector employers. Decreased absence was associated with part-time working. Scoring 4 or more on the General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12 caseness) was strongly associated with sickness absence. Public-sector employers had highest rates of sickness absence. GHQ-12 caseness had largest impact on absence in the public and nonprofit sectors, whereas physical health problems impacted more in the private sector.Conclusions: GHQ-12 caseness is strongly associated with increased absence in all classifications of occupations. Differences between sectors require further investigation.

Journal
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: Volume 54, Issue 12

People

Professor Margaret Maxwell

Director of NMAHP Research Unit, NMAHP