Working Conditions and Long-Term Sickness Absence Due to Mental Disorders: A Prospective Record Linkage Cohort Study Among 19- to 39-Year-Old Female Municipal Employees

OBJECTIVE: We examined associations between working conditions and long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders (LTSA-MD) among younger female public sector employees from different employment sectors. METHODS: Survey data collected in 2017 (n = 3048) among 19- to 39-year-old female employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, were used to examine job demands, job control, physical workload, computer work, and covariates. Register data on LTSA-MD were used over 1-year follow-up. Negative binomial regression models were applied. RESULTS: Adverse psychosocial and physical working conditions were associated with higher LTSA-MD during the follow-up. Health and social care workers had the highest number of days of LTSA-MD. CONCLUSION: Working conditions are important factors when aiming to prevent LTSA-MD among younger employees, in the health and social care sector in particular.