The relationship between perceived stress and self-reported illness-related absenteeism.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between perceived stress and illness-related work absenteeism.


METHODS
A standardized health profile questionnaire developed by Johnson & Johnson Advanced Behavioral Technologies, Inc., was used to collect demographic and personal health data between June 1988 and January 1993. Chi-square, odds ratio, and stepwise regression tests were used to analyze perceived stress and self-reported absenteeism data.


METHODS
Worksite health promotion programs in 250 U.S. companies.


METHODS
Subjects consisted of 79,070 employees.


METHODS
Stress data, grouped as low, moderate, and high, were correlated with absenteeism data grouped by annual days missed (None, 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and 5+).


RESULTS
Significant relationships were found (p < or = .05) between high stress and absenteeism for both genders. Female workers reported higher stress levels and absenteeism than men. Those with high stress were 2.22 more likely to be absent 5+ days per year than those with low stress. Work, finances, and family were the highest stress sources. Greatest absenteeism predictors were health, legal, social, and financial stress.


CONCLUSIONS
These data primarily represented self-selected white workers and may not apply to all employees. However, if high stress relates to absenteeism, these data may provide valuable information for program design in stress management.
Jacobson
B H
BH
Oklahoma State University, School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure, Calvin Physical Education Center, Stillwater 74078-0616, USA.
Aldana
S G
SG
Goetzel
R Z
RZ
Vardell
K D
KD
Adams
T B
TB
Pietras
R J
RJ
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology