Rate ratios* (95% CI) for long spells of sickness absence (>7 days) in later follow up (1996–1998) by change in psychosocial work characteristics between phase 1 (1985–88) and phase 3 (1991–93)
| Increase | Stable | Decrease | |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Adjusted for sex, baseline age, employment grade, baseline work characteristics (decision latitude, job demands, work social supports), change in employment grade between phases 1 and 3, baseline health (longstanding illness, health problems in past year, GHQ caseness), frequency of alcohol consumption in past year, smoking habits, body mass index, baseline sickness absence (rate of short spells per year 1985–89, rate of long spells per year 1985–89, rate of days per year 1985–89). | |||
| All participants (n = 3052) | |||
| Decision latitude | 1.15 (0.99 to 1.34) | 1 | 1.21 (1.02 to 1.45) |
| Job demands | 1.09 (0.94 to 1.27) | 1 | 1.13 (0.95 to 1.33) |
| Work social supports | 1.01 (0.86 to 1.19) | 1 | 1.05 (0.91 to 1.22) |
| Stable employment grade (n = 2130) | |||
| Decision latitude | 1.07 (0.90 to 1.29) | 1 | 1.11 (0.91 to 1.35) |
| Job demands | 1.20 (1.01 to 1.42) | 1 | 1.16 (0.95 to 1.40) |
| Work social supports | 0.95 (0.79 to 1.14) | 1 | 1.03 (0.86 to 1.22) |