Research from Aarhus University shows that mental health problems increase sickness absence by five weeks per year compared to other health problems.

2016.02.22 | Søren Sander Rasmussen

New research shows that mental health problems lead to far greater absence due to sickness than physical illnesses.

Absence due to sickness is significantly higher among people with mental health problems than it is among people with physical health problems. This is one of the results of MSc in Health Science Pernille Pedersen's PhD dissertation from Public Health and Quality Improvement in the Central Denmark Region.

"In addition to an increased absence due to sickness, we also see more people with mental health problems on temporary transfer income compared to other people who are absent from work due to sickness. People who have mental health problems who are absent from work due to sickness also have a greater risk of not returning to the labour market within one year after the start of their sick leave when compared to people who are on sick leave with other health problems", says Pernille Pedersen.

Her research is based on register data and questionnaire surveys for people on sick leave in the municipalities of Lemvig, Skive, Struer and Holstebro during the period 2012-2014.

Five weeks more sick leave

One of the conclusions in the dissertation is that the annual length of absence due to sickness among people with mental health problems is five weeks longer, while these people also spend almost a week longer on transfer income and 6.5 weeks less in the labour market. The figures are compared to people who are on sick leave due to other health problems.

"The difference may perhaps be explained on the basis of lower expectations towards people with mental health problems when it comes to returning to the labour market after sick leave. The problem is that longer sickness absence leads to lower earnings and less social contact. In addition, many have a greater risk of ending on an early retirement pension," says Pernille Pedersen.

The title of the project is "Labour market participation of individuals on sick leave with mental health problems – Intervention and cohort studies on return to work”.

Further information

Nurse, MSc in Health Science and PhD Pernille Pedersen
Tel. (+45) 2447 0964
pernille.pedersen@stab.rm.dk
Department of Clinical Medicine, Psychiatric Research Unit West
Aarhus University