Does Perceived Stress Mediate the Association Between Workplace Bullying and Long-Term Sickness Absence?
Matias Brdsgaard Grynderup1, Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen, Theis Lange
1Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014 Copenhagen K (Dr Grynderup, Dr Nabe-Nielsen, Dr Lange, Dr Garde, Dr Rugulies, and Dr Hansen); Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K (Dr Conway, Dr Francioli, Dr Rugulies, and Dr H⊘gh); Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Frederiksberg and Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, University of Copenhagen (Dr Bonde and Mrs Vammen); The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lers⊘ Parkallé 105, Copenhagen (Dr Garde, Dr Rugulies, and Dr Hansen); Research Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M (Dr Kaerlev); Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, DK-5000 Odense C (Dr Kaerlev), Denmark.
Objective:
To examine if perceived stress mediated the association between workplace bullying and subsequent long-term sickness absence.
Methods:
The PRISME cohort was established in 2007 and re-examined in 2009. Questionnaire data about workplace bullying and perceived stress were obtained from 4114 individuals. Participants were followed in registers on long-term sickness absence (≥30 consecutive days of sickness absence).
Results:
Workplace bullying was associated with subsequent sickness absence (odds ratio [OR] = 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.57 to 2.65) and concurrent high perceived stress levels (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.96). A high perceived stress level was also associated with subsequent sickness absence (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.56). Perceived stress explained 13% (95% CI: 6 to 23%) of the total association between bullying and sickness absence.
Conclusions:
The association between workplace bullying and subsequent long-term sickness absence may be partially mediated by perceived stress.
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