title: Unpacking Early Work Experiences of Young Adults With Rheumatic Disease: An Examination of Absenteeism, Job Disruptions, and Productivity Loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine work absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss and factors associated with each outcome in young adults living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile arthritis (JA).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-three young adults, ages 18-30 years with SLE (54.5%) and JA (45.5%), completed an online survey of work experiences. Demographic, health (e.g., fatigue, disease activity), psychosocial (e.g., independence, social support), and work context (e.g., career satisfaction, job control, self-disclosure) information was collected. Participants were asked about absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss in the last 6 months. Log Poisson regression analyses examined factors associated with work outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A majority of participants (59%) were employed and reported a well-managed health condition. Employed respondents were satisfied with their career progress and indicated moderate job control. More than 40% of participants reported absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. Greater job control and self-disclosure, and less social support, were related to a higher likelihood of absenteeism. More disease activity was related to a greater likelihood of reporting job disruptions. Lower fatigue and higher job control were associated with a reduced likelihood of a productivity loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young adult respondents with rheumatic disease experienced challenges with employment, including absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. While related to greater absenteeism, job control could play a role in a young person's ability to manage their health condition and sustain productive employment. Greater attention should also be paid to understanding health factors and social support in early work experiences.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jetha
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Badley
authors.affiliation: Institute for Work and Health and St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Dorcas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beaton
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Faculté de Médecine de L'Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Fortin
authors.affiliation: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shiff
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Research Institute, and Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Monique A M
authors.initials: MAM
authors.lastname: Gignac
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult