title: Is absence related to work stress? A repeated cross-sectional study on a special police force.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sickness absence due to illness is considered an indicator of work-related stress. Police work is a very stressful job. Sickness absence and sick leave are frequent among policemen.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested whether stress variables were predictors of absenteeism in a police unit specifically assigned to the maintenance of law and order.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Control, Reward, and Support were negatively related to frequency of absence and short-term absence. Demand and Effort were positively related to total lost days. Absence recorded in the previous year was the best predictor of absenteeism. We also found a positive, albeit weak association between absence in the previous year and subsequent work-related stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stress variables are associated with sickness absence, although the association is weak. Both short-term and prolonged sickness absence should be regarded as a warning sign for subsequent sickness absence and distress.
authors: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma 00168, Italy. nicolamagnavita@gmail.com
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Magnavita
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Garbarino
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D016495:Police / Q000145:classification*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace