The British Journal of Psychiatry 169: 740-746 (1996)
© 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Sick-leave due to psychiatric disorder: higher incidence among women and longer duration for men

G Hensing, K Alexanderson, P Allebeck and P Bjurulf
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linkoping University, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Women take sick-leave more often than men, both in general and because of psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to introduce the new dimension of sick-leave duration in the analysis of gender differences in minor psychiatric disorders. METHOD: A population-based register was used, which included all sick-leave spells exceeding seven consecutive days, 1985-1987, in a Swedish county. RESULTS: Sick-leave duration was longer for men. The greatest gender differences were found in the youngest and oldest age-groups. Women had higher incidence also in the longest spells. An increase in duration over the three years was found among women, leading to decreased gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to other studies on minor psychiatric disorders, small gender differences were found. It is suggested that sick-leave duration can be used as a quantitative measure of health-related working capacity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Gjesdal, K. Haug, P. Ringdal, J. G. Maeland, J. Hagberg, T. Roraas, S. E. Vollset, and K. Alexanderson Sickness absence with musculoskeletal or mental diagnoses, transition into disability pension and all-cause mortality: A 9-year prospective cohort study Scand J Public Health, June 1, 2009; 37(4): 387 - 394. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K Ahola, R Gould, M Virtanen, T Honkonen, A Aromaa, and J Lonnqvist Occupational burnout as a predictor of disability pension: a population-based cohort study Occup. Environ. Med., May 1, 2009; 66(5): 284 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Korlin, K. Alexanderson, and P. Svedberg Sickness absence among women and men in the police: A systematic literature review Scand J Public Health, May 1, 2009; 37(3): 310 - 319. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J E Ferrie, J Vahtera, M Kivimaki, H Westerlund, M Melchior, K Alexanderson, J Head, A Chevalier, A Leclerc, M Zins, et al. Diagnosis-specific sickness absence and all-cause mortality in the GAZEL study J Epidemiol Community Health, January 1, 2009; 63(1): 50 - 55. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Gjesdal, P. R. Ringdal, K. Haug, J. G. Maeland, S. E. Vollset, and K. Alexanderson Mortality after long-term sickness absence: prospective cohort study Eur J Public Health, October 1, 2008; 18(5): 517 - 521. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Hensing and R. Wahlstrom Chapter 7. Sickness absence and psychiatric disorders Scand J Public Health, October 1, 2004; 32(63_suppl): 152 - 180. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Nystuen, K. B. Hagen, and J. Herrin Mental health problems as a cause of long-term sick leave in the Norwegian workforce Scand J Public Health, July 1, 2001; 29(3): 175 - 182. [Abstract] [PDF]

				I. Sandanger, J. F. Nygard, S. Brage, and G. Tellnes Relation between health problems and sickness absence: gender and age differences: A comparison of low-back pain, psychiatric disorders, and injuries Scand J Public Health, October 1, 2000; 28(4): 244 - 252. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Brage, J. F. Nygard, and G. Tellnes The gender gap in musculoskeletal-related long term sickness absence in Norway Scand J Public Health, January 1, 1998; 26(1): 34 - 43. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Hensing, F. Spak, K. Alexanderson, and P. Allebeck Sick-leave among women and the role of psychiatric disorder Scand J Public Health, September 1, 1997; 25(3): 185 - 192. [Abstract] [PDF]