Arif Jetha1, Elizabeth Badley1, Dorcas Beaton2, Paul R Fortin3, Natalie J Shiff4, Monique A M Gignac5. 1. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Institute for Work and Health and St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec and Faculté de Médecine de L'Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 4. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 5. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Research Institute, and Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine work absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss and factors associated with each outcome in young adults living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile arthritis (JA). METHODS: One hundred forty-three young adults, ages 18-30 years with SLE (54.5%) and JA (45.5%), completed an online survey of work experiences. Demographic, health (e.g., fatigue, disease activity), psychosocial (e.g., independence, social support), and work context (e.g., career satisfaction, job control, self-disclosure) information was collected. Participants were asked about absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss in the last 6 months. Log Poisson regression analyses examined factors associated with work outcomes. RESULTS: A majority of participants (59%) were employed and reported a well-managed health condition. Employed respondents were satisfied with their career progress and indicated moderate job control. More than 40% of participants reported absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. Greater job control and self-disclosure, and less social support, were related to a higher likelihood of absenteeism. More disease activity was related to a greater likelihood of reporting job disruptions. Lower fatigue and higher job control were associated with a reduced likelihood of a productivity loss. CONCLUSION: Young adult respondents with rheumatic disease experienced challenges with employment, including absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. While related to greater absenteeism, job control could play a role in a young person's ability to manage their health condition and sustain productive employment. Greater attention should also be paid to understanding health factors and social support in early work experiences.
OBJECTIVE: To examine work absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss and factors associated with each outcome in young adults living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and juvenile arthritis (JA). METHODS: One hundred forty-three young adults, ages 18-30 years with SLE (54.5%) and JA (45.5%), completed an online survey of work experiences. Demographic, health (e.g., fatigue, disease activity), psychosocial (e.g., independence, social support), and work context (e.g., career satisfaction, job control, self-disclosure) information was collected. Participants were asked about absenteeism, job disruptions, and perceived productivity loss in the last 6 months. Log Poisson regression analyses examined factors associated with work outcomes. RESULTS: A majority of participants (59%) were employed and reported a well-managed health condition. Employed respondents were satisfied with their career progress and indicated moderate job control. More than 40% of participants reported absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. Greater job control and self-disclosure, and less social support, were related to a higher likelihood of absenteeism. More disease activity was related to a greater likelihood of reporting job disruptions. Lower fatigue and higher job control were associated with a reduced likelihood of a productivity loss. CONCLUSION: Young adult respondents with rheumatic disease experienced challenges with employment, including absenteeism, job disruptions, and productivity loss. While related to greater absenteeism, job control could play a role in a young person's ability to manage their health condition and sustain productive employment. Greater attention should also be paid to understanding health factors and social support in early work experiences.
Authors: Monique A M Gignac; Julie Bowring; Sabrina Tonima; Renee-Louise Franche; Aaron Thompson; Arif Jetha; Peter M Smith; Joy C Macdermid; William S Shaw; Dwayne Van Eerd; Dorcas E Beaton; Emma Irvin; Emile Tompa; Ron Saunders Journal: J Occup Rehabil Date: 2022-07-14
Authors: Arif Jetha; Robert Shaw; Adrienne R Sinden; Quenby Mahood; Monique Am Gignac; Mary Ann McColl; Kathleen A Martin Ginis Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-01-11 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Margot Walter; Sylvia Kamphuis; Philomine van Pelt; Annemarie de Vroed; Johanna M W Hazes Journal: Pediatr Rheumatol Online J Date: 2018-08-03 Impact factor: 3.054