title: Burnout levels and self-rated health prospectively predict future long-term sickness absence: a study among female health professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the predictive validity of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), and of three health indicators (depression, anxiety, and self-rated health), for long-term sickness absence (LTSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent to all employees in a Swedish County Council (N = 6118), and the overall response rate was 65% (N = 3976). As 82% were women, only women were included in the study. Certified LTSA data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression analyses showed that high scores on exhaustion, depression, and poor self-rated health increased the risk of future LTSA (≥90 days). Support for the proposed two-factorial structure of the OLBI was found, including the dimensions of exhaustion and disengagement from work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using burnout measures might be useful to identify those at risk for LTSA, and to enable preventive solutions in organizations.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden. ulla.peterson@lnu.se
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bergström
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demerouti
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gustavsson
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asberg
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nygren
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult