Trends in long‐term sickness absence in Sweden 1992–2008: the role of economic conditions, legislation, demography, work environment and alcohol consumption

Abstract

Lidwall U, Marklund S. Trends in long‐term sickness absence in Sweden 1992–2008: the role of economic conditions, legislation, demography, work environment and alcohol consumption Int J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 167©179 © 2010 The Author(s), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. In Sweden, absence from work because of illness or injury has fluctuated considerably over time. This study aimed to identify potentially important factors behind variations in long‐term sickness absence. Aggregated data were used to assess factors correlated with the number of ongoing cases of sickness absence lasting more than 59 days. Trends were analysed using statistics from national social insurance records, labour force surveys and other official statistics. Although specific changes in the degree of generosity in the sickness insurance scheme were important in some cases, the results showed no consistent associations for the study period 1992–2008. Men were generally more sensitive to macroeconomic factors than women. Furthermore, compared with earlier findings, workforce composition had less impact on variations in long‐term sickness absence. Notably, public health indicators such as alcohol sales and working conditions were clearly related to long‐term sick leave during the period under investigation.

Termination of sickness benefits or transition to disability pension after changes in sickness insurance: a Swedish register study

“…Some recent studies, using both micro-and macro-level data, conclude that a major factor behind the steep increase in long-term sickness absence during between 1997 and 2002 was the deterioration in psychosocial work environments in the 1990s [3,5,6]. The decrease since 2002 is much less understood, but a stricter and more systematic assessment of eligibility rules within the given legislation has been brought forward as a possible explanation [3].…”

“…The level of sickness absence in Sweden has been high in an international perspective [1,2], and in comparison with most other European countries sickness absence in Sweden has varied considerably over time particularly during the last two decades [3]. Between 1989 and 1996, sickness absence decreased which was interrupted in 1997 when the absence rates rose considerably.…”

“…Between 1989 and 1996, sickness absence decreased which was interrupted in 1997 when the absence rates rose considerably. There was also a shift to more extensive long-term sick leave and disability pension [3]. After 2002, sickness absence has decreased, and the sickness absence rate (i.e.…”

Multi-scalar residential context and recovery from illness: An analysis using Swedish register data

“…One factor singled out as an explanation for this ill--health was an increase in long--term sickness (see Lidwall and Marklund, 2011). Research on long--term sickness in Sweden has mainly focused on work--related factors but it also possible that neighbourhood factors can be of importance especially, as argued above, for rates of recovery.…”

Predictors of short- and long-term sickness absence in female post office workers in Poland

“…In the majority of economically developed countries, the data on sickness absence from work and its causes are a source of information on, and measure of, health status of different occupational groups [3,[7][8][9]. Nevertheless, the possibility of international comparison is limited since the results of analyses of inability to work depend greatly on the medical certification legislation and health insurance systems in individual countries [10][11][12]. During a period of restructuring (including job losses) in numerous economic organizations and institutions certain disturbances emerge in the labor environment (negative attitudes towards job, conflicts, unsettled ties) that, given the situation on the labor market (unemployment, high competitiveness), increase levels of occupational stress.…”