title: Psychosocial work factors and long sickness absence in Europe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies exploring a wide range of psychosocial work factors separately and together in association with long sickness absence are still lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to explore the associations between psychosocial work factors measured following a comprehensive instrument (Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire, COPSOQ) and long sickness absence (> 7 days/year) in European employees of 34 countries. An additional objective was to study the differences in these associations according to gender and countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 16 120 male and 16 588 female employees from the 2010 European working conditions survey. Twenty-five psychosocial work factors were explored. Statistical analysis was performed using multilevel logistic regression models and interaction testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When studied together in the same model, factors related to job demands (quantitative demands and demands for hiding emotions), possibilities for development, social relationships (role conflicts, quality of leadership, social support, and sense of community), workplace violence (physical violence, bullying, and discrimination), shift work, and job promotion were associated with long sickness absence. Almost no difference was observed according to gender and country.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comprehensive prevention policies oriented to psychosocial work factors may be useful to prevent long sickness absence at European level.
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Slany
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schütte
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Chastang
authors.forename: Agnès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parent-Thirion
authors.forename: Greet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vermeylen
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Niedhammer
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult