Interpersonal Processes in the Duration of Sick Leave of Workers with Chronic Diseases: A Dyadic Analysis

Although there is increasing awareness that significant others' perceptions and behavior can affect health outcomes, the role of interpersonal processes between sick-listed workers and significant others in sick leave and return to work (RTW) has hardly been studied. This study aims to examine the associations between illness perceptions, RTW expectations, and behaviors of significant others (engagement, buffering and overprotection) with sick leave duration within dyads of sick-listed workers with chronic diseases and their significant others.

We used survey data linked with sick leave registry data of 90 dyads. Pearson correlations were used to study the interdependence within dyads. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between survey data of both dyad members and sick leave duration.

We found moderate to strong correlations between workers and significant others, indicating interdependence within dyads regarding illness perceptions, RTW expectations and perceived significant other behaviors. Dyad members' illness perceptions (R² = .204, p = .001) and RTW expectations (R² = .326, p =  < .001) were associated with sick leave duration, explaining respectively 12.3% and 24.5% of the variance. We found no associations between sick leave duration and active engagement, protective buffering and overprotection.

This study indicates that negative illness perceptions and RTW expectations of both workers and their significant others are associated with a longer sick leave duration. Considering the interdependence within dyads, involving significant others when intervening on maladaptive illness perceptions and RTW expectations may be more effective than solely focusing on the worker's perceptions and expectations.