Work-related Factors of Presenteeism: The Mediating Role of Mental and Physical Health
Work-related Factors of Presenteeism: The Mediating Role of Mental and Physical Health
Rico Pohling
PMID: 26322439
■ Research Objective
The objective was to clarify the impact of work-related factors (such as workplace environment and working conditions) on workers’ presenteeism (working while ill). In particular, it examined the mediating role that mental health (mental health and subjective well-being) and physical health (musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, etc.) play between work-related factors and presenteeism.
■ Methods
Survey Subjects and Procedure
A cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was conducted on workers belonging to various industries and companies within Germany. A total of 1,332 valid respondents were included in the final analysis.
Evaluation Scales
Work-related Factors: Using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and other widely used labor environment evaluation scales in Europe, “Areas of Worklife” such as Workload, Control, Reward, Community, Fairness, and Values were measured.
Health Status (Mediating Variables): Mental health (psychological well-being and tendencies toward depression/fatigue) and physical health (musculoskeletal symptoms and physical ailments) were evaluated.
Presenteeism (Dependent Variable): Measured using both indicators: AOP (Actual Occasions of Presenteeism) over a certain past period and HLPT (Health-Related Lost Productivity Time) due to health problems.
■ Analysis Method: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and the bootstrapping method were used to statistically verify the indirect effects (mediating effects) that work-related factors have on presenteeism through mental and physical health.
■ Results
Trends in Direct and Indirect Effects: It was shown that work-related factors (especially excessive workload, low rewards, and unfair evaluations) indirectly increase the frequency of presenteeism and productivity loss by worsening workers’ mental and physical health.
Mediating Role of Health: It was confirmed that psychosocial stressors in the workplace not only directly cause presenteeism, but that poor physical and mental health (declining mental health and musculoskeletal symptoms) function as powerful mediating variables. In other words, a structure was demonstrated where a poor workplace environment leads to physical and mental distress, which in turn leads to presenteeism behavior—that is, “coming to work despite feeling unwell and working with reduced performance.”
Differences Between Indicators: In the evaluation of presenteeism, analysis was conducted from both the aspects of simple frequency of working while ill (AOP) and the degree of productivity loss (HLPT), and characteristic paths for each were shown in relation to the work environment and health status.
■ Discussion
The findings of this study indicate that presenteeism is not merely a matter of individual health management, but an organizational issue deeply rooted in “work-related factors” such as the workplace environment and organizational culture. Because mental and physical health play an important role as mediating factors, primary prevention through the improvement of the workplace environment (optimization of workload, fair rewards, strengthening of support systems, etc.) is extremely effective for reducing productivity loss and health risks caused by presenteeism, rather than appealing to individual morals. In the future, it will be necessary to longitudinally evaluate the impact of organizational interventions on physical and mental health and presenteeism.
■ Learnings/Impressions
I can understand that outcomes are connected not just by direct causality, but by various intertwined factors. I would like to be able to make proposals and decisions regarding the workplace environment based on such evidence.
Have a wonderful day today.
