Work - Volume 39, issue 3

Authors: Roelen, Corné A.M. | Koopmans, Petra C. | Notenbomer, Annette | Groothoff, Johan W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This study investigated whether short episodes of sickness absence were associated with job satisfaction. Participants: 199 wage earners who reported sick due to the common cold between January 2003 and April 2003. Methods: Job satisfaction was assessed on the first day of sickness absence and associated with the duration of sickness absence using a multiple logistic regression model to which demographics, working conditions, and the week day on which sick-leave was taken …were stepwise added as covariates. Results: Workers with low job satisfaction scores had higher odds (odds ratio [OR] =3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74 to 8.51) of being > 3 days absent from work due to the common cold compared to satisfied workers. However, the duration of sickness absence due to the common cold was more strongly related to the day of taking sick-leave with workers who reported sick on Monday or Tuesday being longer absent (OR=5.36; 95% CI 1.44 to 9.90) than those who reported sick on Friday. Conclusions: When having a common cold, dissatisfied workers are longer absent from work although the duration of short episodes of sickness absence seems to be determined by the week day on which sick-leave is taken rather than working conditions or perceptions about work. Show more

Keywords: Absenteeism, sick-leave, job satisfaction, short sickness absence, the common cold, day of sick-leave

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1178

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 305-313, 2011

Authors: Kawada, Tomoyuki | Kuratomi, Yushiro | Kanai, Tomoe

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: A depressive state and feelings of unhappiness in daily life are regarded as indispensable factors for the diagnosis of major depression. These factors are also speculated to contribute to subsequent psychological wellbeing. Methods and Participants: A total of 3190 men, aged 33 to 59 years, from a workplace in Japan participated in this one-year prospective study conducted from 2007 to 2008; 3141 men completed both evaluations (98.5%). The prevalences of depressive states and …feelings of unhappiness were evaluated using a questionnaire. After one year, psychological wellbeing was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 12-item version. Analysis of variance and a logistic regression analysis were used for the analysis. Results: The prevalence of no depressive feelings and no feelings of unhappiness among the workers were 73.5% among men in their 30s, 76.9% among men in their 40s, and 83.2% among men in their 50s. The mean GHQ score among participants with or without of depressive feelings and feelings of unhappiness was significantly higher than that among participants who had no depressive feelings and no feelings of unhappiness (control group). In contrast, the mean GHQ score among the participants in their 50s who had only depressive feelings did not differ from that in the control group of participants in their 50s according to a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Compared with depressive feelings, feelings of unhappiness were a stronger contributing factor to psychological wellbeing as measured using the GHQ questionnaire, especially among subjects in their 50s, in a one-year follow-up study. Show more

Keywords: Depressive state, unpleasant feelings, general health questionnaire, psychological wellbeing, prospective study, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1179

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 315-319, 2011

Authors: Kucera, Kristen L. | Lipscomb, Hester J. | Silverstein, Barbara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: We describe medical care received through workers' compensation (WC) and union-provided insurance surrounding work-related back injuries and examine relationships between care provided and time off work among a large cohort of carpenters. Methods and Participants: Union records identified a cohort of 20,642 carpenters working in Washington State from 1989–2003 and their private health insurance claims. These data were linked to workers' compensation files from this state-run program including records of medical care. …Results: Over 74,000 WC medical encounters resulted from 2959 work-related back injuries. Eleven percent received private care for musculoskeletal back pain within 90 days of work-related injury; this proportion increased with increasing lost days. Delay to physical therapy was more prevalent among those out of work longest. The proportion of claimants with care from both systems and from private utilization only increased after the first 90 days and, for the subset with at least one paid lost work day, after return to work. Conclusions: Examination of medical care through both systems versus solely in workers' compensation provides a more complete understanding of back injury care while also demonstrating complexity. Differences in outcomes based upon treatment shortly after injury are worthy of further exploration. Show more

Keywords: Private insurance, workers compensation, return to work, delays to care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1180

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 321-330, 2011

Authors: van den Berg-Dijkmeijer, Marleen L. | Frings-Dresen, Monique H.W. | Sluiter, Judith K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: The objective was to find the factors that pose a possible health risk to OR personnel. Work-related health problems of operating room (OR) personnel were signalled by an occupational physician and preparations for the development of new Worker's Health Surveillance (WHS) were started with a systematic review of the literature. Methods: A systematic review was performed of articles in Pubmed, published from January 1991 to December 2007, concerning risks or health effects in …the working conditions of OR personnel. Results: Twenty-three articles reported that workers in the OR are exposed to infectious agents, noise, anaesthetic gases and radiation. Eleven studies reported elevated risk for (allergic) skin diseases, musculoskeletal complaints and infectious diseases. Conclusions: Factors that form a health risk for workers in the operating room are infectious agents, noise, anaesthetic gases and radiation. Health effects on workers in the OR are (allergic) skin disorders, musculoskeletal complaints and infectious diseases. Show more

Keywords: Workers health surveillance, working conditions, exposure, infection, allergy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1181

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 331-344, 2011

Authors: Park, Soo Kyung

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This study identified the prevalence of depression and explored demographic and psycho-social factors that predict depression among workers with on-the-job injuries in South Korea. Participants: Participants consisted of 549 Korean workers with injuries; 80% were males. Ages ranged from 20 to 60 years old (mean, 42.2; SD=9.27). Methods: Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were conducted using multiple linear regression to explore predictors of depression. Depression was measured by the Korean version of the Beck …Depression Inventory and items drawn from the Work Potential Profile scale and AUDIT-K were used. Results: More than half of study participants needed professional assessment and treatment for depression. Preoccupation with health, subjective economic stability, self-image, employment status, and alcohol problems were significant predictors of depression. Conclusions: Policymakers and practitioners working with workers with injuries should be aware of the extent of serious mental health issues among such workers. There is also a need for enhanced rehabilitation services for depression treatment. Show more

Keywords: Job-related injury, workers' compensation, rehabilitation, mental health, return-to-work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2011-1184

Citation: Work, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 345-351, 2011