Abstract
Influence of Sociodemographic, Economical and Employment-Related Factors on Sick Leave Due to Mental Illness: A Retrospective Study in an Industrialized Region in Southern Europe
Author(s): Fernando Fuertes Guiro 1,2*, Carmen Marqués Gaspar2, Ajda Amet2 and Luis Fernández Bengoa3Background: This study identifies and analyzes based on a retrospective descriptive study of a labor Mutual insurance Company Society in the field of the industrialized region of southern Europe (Catalonia), those variables that may influence sick leave due to mental illness. Methodology: All workers who were on sick leave during the period 2009-2019 due to mental illness were included in the study. Relationships between social/ employment-related and economical and demographic factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and the multiple linear regression models. Results: The period studied included 34,764 workers. Anxious-depressive disorders account for 83.3% of the diagnosed mental disorders. The age cohorts between 30 and 50 years represent 60% of the affected workers. Highest income and high population density regions are the most affected. The levels of mental illness are higher in spring and summer. The years of the economic crisis reduced the amount of sick leave due to mental illness. Professions related to manufacturing industry, automobile mechanics companies, the hospitality industry, teaching and healthcare and social service companies was more heavily affected. Conclusions: Population density and GDP per capita, the age cohort, the season of the year, the type of payment, the type of contract, and the worker’s business and profession can predict the appearance of sick leave due to mental illness. MICshould plan interventions to minimize these factors and avoid the socioeconomic consequences.