title: Separation and distress--sickness absence and health screening in newly divorced middle-aged Swedish men.
abstract: The present study aimed at a description of the sickness absence pattern during 1982-1989 in 32 men who divorced in 1984. Another purpose was to carry through a health screening of the men within six months after the marital disruption focusing on risk factors concerning cardio-vascular disease (smoking, overweight, hypertension) and high alcohol consumption (elevated GGT). The year of divorce and the successive three years (1984-1987) were characterized by high sickness rates (average 21,7 days/year, variation 19,4-26,6) compared to a reference group (average 16,6, variation 14,9-18,1). In the remaining four years (1982-1983 and 1988-1989) the sickness absence was lower in the divorced group (average 12,2, variation 8,7-18,0, reference group: average 17,3, variation 14,8-20,0). The increase was mainly due to short absence periods (self-certifications). The health screening (health examination and record analysis) (n = 29) revealed high frequency of daily smoking and alcohol overconsumption. Overweight and hypertension were not overrepresented. The findings are discussed in relation to a supposed male reaction style to separation. The impact of social isolation is stressed.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Unit, County Council of Dalarna, Falun, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hallberg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mattsson
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012934:Social Isolation; D013548:Sweden