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Sickness absence and sickness attendance--What people with neck or back pain think

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  • Hansson, Margareta
  • Boström, Carina
  • Harms-Ringdahl, Karin

Abstract

This study explores the decision of 33 men and women to be sick-listed from work for neck pain or low-back pain. Qualitative interviews with the subjects, who lived in a city or a sparsely populated area of Sweden, were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed in the interpretive tradition by the three authors. New, intense and threatening pain quickly made persons report sick. For other pain, sickness absence, its timing and duration, were negotiated on the basis of the subjects' self-image, work-duty norms, organisational and extra-organisational work factors. Thirty-one people aimed to return to work, but spine-related pain was a hindrance. Five strategies to avoid, delay or shorten sickness absence were identified. Concepts of the illness flexibility model well described how the workers balanced the factors driving them from work and those forcing them or attracting them to remain. The conclusion is that reporting sick is neither undertaken lightly nor for short-term reasons only. Instead, personal history and anticipated future, spine-related pain, workplace and labour market factors are also important considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansson, Margareta & Boström, Carina & Harms-Ringdahl, Karin, 2006. "Sickness absence and sickness attendance--What people with neck or back pain think," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(9), pages 2183-2195, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:9:p:2183-2195
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johansson, Gun & Lundberg, Ingvar, 2004. "Adjustment latitude and attendance requirements as determinants of sickness absence or attendance. Empirical tests of the illness flexibility model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(10), pages 1857-1868, May.
    2. Dew, Kevin & Keefe, Vera & Small, Keitha, 2005. "'Choosing' to work when sick: workplace presenteeism," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 2273-2282, May.
    3. Brouwer, Werner B. F. & van Exel, N. Job A. & Stolk, Elly A., 2005. "Acceptability of less than perfect health states," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 237-246, January.
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    1. Karanika-Murray, Maria & Pontes, Halley M. & Griffiths, Mark D. & Biron, Caroline, 2015. "Sickness presenteeism determines job satisfaction via affective-motivational states," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 100-106.
    2. Parsons, Janet A. & Eakin, Joan M. & Bell, Robert S. & Franche, Renée-Louise & Davis, Aileen M., 2008. ""So, are you back to work yet?" Re-conceptualizing 'work' and 'return to work' in the context of primary bone cancer," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(11), pages 1826-1836, December.

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