Original Articles

Impact of Burnout and Psychosocial Work Characteristics on Future Long-Term Sickness Absence. Prospective Results of the Danish PUMA Study Among Human Service Workers

Borritz, Marianne MD, PhD; Christensen, Karl Bang PhD; Bültmann, Ute PhD; Rugulies, Reiner PhD; Lund, Thomas PhD; Andersen, Ingelise PhD; Villadsen, Ebbe; Diderichsen, Finn MD, PhD; Kristensen, Tage S. Dr Med Sci

Author Information

From the Department of Occupational Medicine (Dr Borritz), Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; National Research Centre for the Working Environment (Dr Borritz, Dr Rugulies, Mr Villadsen), Denmark; Department of Public Health (Dr Christensen, Dr Andersen, Dr Diderichsen), University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark; University Medical Center Groningen (Dr Bültmann), The Netherlands; International Research Institute of Stavanger (Dr Lund), Norway; and the Task-Consult (Dr Kristensen), Denmark.

CME Available for this Article at ACOEM.org

Authors Christopher Magee, Peter Caputi, Natalie Stefanic, and Don C Iverson have no financial interest related to this research.

The JOEM Editorial Board and planners have no financial interest related to this research.

Address correspondence to: Marianne Borritz, MD, PhD, Department of Occupational Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark; E-mail: [email protected].

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 52(10):p 964-970, October 2010. | DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181f12f95

Abstract

Objectives: 

The objective of this study was to examine if burnout and psychosocial factors predicted long-term sickness absence (>2 weeks) at work unit level.

Methods: 

Data were collected prospectively at 82-work units in human services (PUMA cohort, PUMA: Danish acronym for Burnout, Motivation and Job satisfaction) followed up during the proceeding 18 months regarding onset of long-term sickness absence. Questionnaire data regarding burnout and psychosocial factors were aggregated at work unit level. We used Poisson regression models with psychosocial factors and burnout as predictors of long-term sickness absence for more than 18 months based on data from a national absence register.

Results: 

Long-term sickness absence was predicted by psychosocial factors and by burnout at work unit level.

Conclusion: 

To reduce sickness absence, organizations within human services should improve the psychosocial work environment, and equally important, the organizations should be attentive to employees with symptoms of burnout.

©2010The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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