The determinants of presenteeism: a comprehensive investigation of stress-related factors at work, health, and individual factors among the aging workforce.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of presenteeism, taking health and individual factors into account.


METHODS
A quantitative analysis applying structural equation modelling analysis was conducted on the basis of secondary data from the Health and Retirement Survey (2008 wave), which measured presenteeism and its determinants.


RESULTS
Stress-related factors at work (β =-0.35, p<0.001), individual factors (α =-0.27, p<0.001), and health (β =0.24, p<0.001) were significantly related to presenteeism. Individual factors were found to be directly correlated with stress-related factors at work (β =0.22, p<0.001). Significant indirect effects between stress-related factors at work and presenteeism (Sobel z=-6.61; p<0.001) and between individual factors and presenteeism (Sobel z=-4.42; p<0.001), which were mediated by health, were also found. Overall, the final model accounted for 37% (R(2)=0.37) of the variance in presenteeism.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates some important and practical guidelines for employers to avoid the burdens of stress-related presenteeism among their employees. These findings could help select target factors in the design and implementation of effective presenteeism interventions in the aging working population.
Department of Organization and Human Resource Management, School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology.
Tianan
T
Yang
Mingjing
M
Zhu
Xiyao
X
Xie
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000069597:Presenteeism / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*