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Self-reported exhaustion: a possible indicator of reduced work ability and increased risk of sickness absence among human service workers

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health volume 83, pages 511–520 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the construct and predictive validity of a new instrument for self-rating of stress-related Exhaustion Disorder (s-ED).

Methods

Public healthcare workers and social insurance officers, 85% females, were included (N = 2,683) in a longitudinal study. The s-ED instrument, based on clinical criteria for Exhaustion Disorder, was used at baseline to classify participants into three categories: non-s-ED, light/moderate s-ED and pronounced s-ED. Other assessments include burnout, anxiety, depression and work ability. Sick leave at follow-up after 2 years was defined as 14 days of ongoing sick leave (SA14) or a period of 60 days of sick leave during the last 12 months (SA60). Associations at baseline were expressed as prevalence ratios, and adjusted relative risks (RR) were calculated using Cox regression.

Results

At baseline, 16% reported s-ED. Scores of depression, anxiety and burnout and the rate of poor work ability increased with increasing severity of s-ED. Self-reported exhaustion at baseline increased the risk of reporting sickness absence at follow-up; pronounced s-ED RR 2.7; CI 1.8–4.0 for SA14 and RR 3.4; CI 2.3–5.2 for SA60.

Conclusions

Self-rated ED corresponded well to established scales for mental health, indicating sufficient construct validity. Individuals reporting s-ED at baseline were more likely to report sickness absence at follow-up, confirming its predictive properties. The s-ED instrument may be a useful tool for occupational health services in identifying human service workers at risk of having or developing a potentially disabling stress-related mental illness.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Swedish government.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Stress Medicine, Carl Skottsbergsgata 22B, 413 19, Göteborg, Sweden

    K. Glise, E. Hadzibajramovic, I. H. Jonsdottir & G. Ahlborg Jr

  2. Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    K. Glise & G. Ahlborg Jr

Authors
  1. K. Glise
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  2. E. Hadzibajramovic
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  3. I. H. Jonsdottir
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  4. G. Ahlborg Jr
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Correspondence to K. Glise.

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Glise, K., Hadzibajramovic, E., Jonsdottir, I.H. et al. Self-reported exhaustion: a possible indicator of reduced work ability and increased risk of sickness absence among human service workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83, 511–520 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0490-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0490-x

Keywords

  • Burnout
  • Exhaustion
  • Validity
  • Sickness absence
  • Work ability
  • Health personnel