Risk Factors for Long-Term Absence Due To Psychiatric Sickness: A Register-Based 5-Year Follow-Up From the Oslo Health Study

Objective: To identify individual and work-related predictors of long-term
(8 weeks) sickness absence with psychiatric diagnoses (LSP). Methods:
Data from the Oslo Health Study (response rate 46%) were linked to public
registers. A total of 8333 subjects were followed from 2001 through 2005.
Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios for LSP. Results: At least
one LSP was present in 7.8% of women and 3.9% of men. Poor support
from superior had an independent and moderate effect. Path and linear
regression analyses indicated that the effect of support from superior was
mediated through mental distress and not the other way around. Selfreported mental distress had a strong independent effect. Conclusions:
Women had a higher risk of LSP than men. Low education and poor support
from superior and mental distress were found to be determinants of LSP.