Work factors related to psychological and health-related distress among employees with chronic illnesses.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined specific psychosocial factors associated with psychological and health-related distress amongst employees reporting different chronic illnesses.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 1029 employees managing either musculoskeletal pain (n=324), arthritis and rheumatism (n=192), asthma (n=174), depression and anxiety (n=152), heart disease (n=96) or diabetes (n=91). Information on psychological distress, work limitations, illness management, disclosure, absence, presenteeism, support and demographic factors were obtained through self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
Both low psychological well-being and high health-related distress were associated with an increase in work limitations (beta=0.20, SE=.03; and beta=0.19, SE=.01, respectively), poorer management of illness symptoms at work (beta=-0.17, SE=.12; and beta=-0.13, SE=.02), high presentieesm (beta=0.19, SE=.25; and beta=0.14, SE=.05) and low workplace support (beta=-0.05, SE=.22; and beta=-0.12, SE=.05). Health-related distress was additionally associated with disclosure of illness at work (beta=0.18, SE=.08) and long-term sickness absence (beta=0.10, SE=.06).


CONCLUSIONS
To enable individuals to effectively manage both their illness and their work without serious repercussions, it is important for both healthcare professionals and employers alike, to improve the well-being of workers with chronic illness by supporting and facilitating their efforts to over-come health-related limitations at work.
Munir
Fehmidah
F
Department of Human Sciences, Brockington Building, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK. F.Munir@lboro.ac.uk
Yarker
Joanna
J
Haslam
Cheryl
C
Long
Helen
H
Leka
Stavroula
S
Griffiths
Amanda
A
Cox
Sara
S
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D018582:Sick Leave; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D014937:Work; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology