Financial Strain and Loss of Psychosocial Benefits of Work Mediate the Relationship between Sickness Absence and Depression among People with Work Disability

Title
Financial Strain and Loss of Psychosocial Benefits of Work Mediate the Relationship between Sickness Absence and Depression among People with Work Disability
Publication Date
2012
Author(s)
Sutton, Julie P
Dunstan, Debra
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0298-7393
Email: ddunstan@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:ddunstan
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1017/jrc.2012.11
UNE publication id
une:12794
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between sickness absence from work, loss of the benefits of employment, and depression in injured workers. A sample of 112 clients of Australian occupational rehabilitation service providers were the participants: (men = 56; women = 56; mean age = 45.25 years, SD = 10.34). Each had a chronic (>3 months) work-related musculoskeletal injury; 49% were sickness absent (n = 55) and 51% were partially fit and performing modified duties (n = 57). All completed self-report measures of the nature and duration of sickness absence, access to the benefits of employment, and severity of depression symptoms. Bootstrapping mediational analyses found that the relationship between duration of sickness absence and depression was fully mediated by financial strain and psychosocial benefits of employment. Financial strain was also the strongest predictor of depression in circumstances of sickness absence, but collective purpose was the strongest predictor when modified duties were being performed. These findings support injury management policies aimed at minimising injured workers' social and physical separation from the workplace and assisting sickness absent workers to maintain connections with their work team.
Link
Citation
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 18(2), p. 71-88
ISSN
1838-6059
1323-8922
Start page
71
End page
88

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