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Published on: February 20, 2020
Employment Productivity and Cancer-Related Psychological Symptoms Among Adult Cancer Dyads
Echo L Warner1, Alla Sikorskii, Nathan Cunicelli
1From the University of Utah College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, Utah (E.L.W.); Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah (E.L.W.); Department of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (A.S.); University of Arizona College of Public Health, Tucson, Arizona (N.C.); University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, Arizona (T.B., K.E.M., J.R.); University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona (T.B.); and University of Arizona Department of Communication, Tucson, Arizona (C.S.).
Objective:
This study aimed to explore cancer survivors' and caregivers' presenteeism (work performance) and absenteeism (missed work), and associations with work performance in the prior year and psychological symptoms (depressive and anxiety symptoms, symptom severity).
Methods:
Cross-sectional baseline data of a larger trial were analyzed to explore associations between absenteeism and presenteeism with prior work performance and psychological symptoms.
Results:
Among survivors (N = 309) and caregivers (N = 306), increased depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased work performance; survivors' anxiety was associated with absenteeism. Prior work performance was associated with better current work performance among survivors and caregivers. In survivors only, prior work performance was associated with reduced current absenteeism.
Conclusions:
Experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms may decrease survivors' and caregivers' work performance. Addressing these symptoms may help survivors and caregivers improve work performance.
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