Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chronic health conditions and work ability in the ageing workforce: the impact of work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health on the association between the presence of a chronic health condition and (single-item) work ability among workers aged 45 years and older. In addition, we aimed to examine variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition separately.

Methods

The data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from 5,247 workers aged 45 years and older in five different work sectors. Work ability was assessed with the first item of the Work Ability Index. The presence of a chronic health condition was assessed by self-report. Independent variables in the multivariable linear regression analysis were work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health status.

Results

The presence of a chronic health condition was negatively associated with work ability (B = −0.848). The strength of this association slightly attenuated after subsequently adding individual characteristics (B = −0.824), work conditions (B = −0.805) and more so after adding psychosocial factors (B = −0.704) and especially perceived health variables (B = −0.049) to the model. Variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition were similar.

Conclusion

Perceived health and psychosocial factors, rather than work conditions, explained the association between the presence of a chronic health condition and work ability. Substantial differences in variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition were not found. Based on the lower mean scores for workers with a chronic health condition and work ability as well for predictors, these workers might have the most benefit by a policy focussing on enhancing these associated variables.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahlstrom L, Grimby-Ekman A, Hagberg M, Dellve L (2010) The work ability index and single-item question: associations with sick leave, symptoms, and health–a prospective study of women on long-term sick leave. Scand J Work Environ Health 36(5):404–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavinia SM, Burdorf A (2008) Unemployment and retirement and ill-health: a cross-sectional analysis across European countries. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(1):39–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavinia SM, van Duivenbooden C, Burdorf A (2007) Influence of work-related factors and individual characteristics on work ability among Dutch construction workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 33(5):351–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayres J, Malouff JM (2007) Problem-solving training to help workers increase positive affect, job satisfaction, and life satisfaction. European J Work Organ Psychol 16(3):279–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baanders AN, Rijken PM, Peters L (2002) Labour participation of the chronically ill. A profile sketch. Eur J Pub Health 12(2):124–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty JE, Joffe R (2006) An overlooked dimension of diversity: the career effects of chronic illness. Organ Dyn 35(2):182–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brouwer S, Reneman MF, Bultmann U, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW (2010) A prospective study of return to work across health conditions: perceived work attitude, self-efficacy and perceived social support. J Occup Rehabil 20(1):104–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussing A, Ostermann T, Neugebauer EA, Heusser P (2010) Adaptive coping strategies in patients with chronic pain conditions and their interpretation of disease. BMC Public Health 10:507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carver CS, Connor-Smith J (2010) Personality and coping. Annu Rev Psychol 61:679–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Croon EM, Sluiter JK, Nijssen TF, Kammeijer M, Dijkmans BA, Lankhorst GJ et al (2005) Work ability of Dutch employees with rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 34(4):277–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamperiene M, Nygard JF, Sandanger I, Lau B, Bruusgaard D (2008) Self-reported work ability of Norwegian women in relation to physical and mental health, and to the work environment. J Occup Med Toxicol (London, England) 3:8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould R, Polvinen A (2008) Attitudes towards work. In: Gould R, Ilmarinen J, Jarvisalo J, Koskinen S (eds) Dimensions of work ability: results of the health 2000 survey. The Social Insurance Institution, National Public Health Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finnish Centre for Pensions, pp 95–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilmarinen JE (2001) Aging workers. Occup Environ Med 58(8):546–552

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ilmarinen J (2005) Toward a longer worklife: ageing and the quality of worklife in the European union Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilmarinen J, Tuomi K, Klockars M (1997) Changes in the work ability of active employees over an 11-year period. Scand J Work Environ Health 23(suppl 1):49–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilmarinen J, Tuomi K, Seitsamo J (2005) New dimensions of work ability. Int Congr Ser 1280:3–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karlsson N, Skargren E, Kristenson M (2010) Emotional support predicts more sickness absence and poorer self assessed work ability: a two-year prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health 10:648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karpansalo M, Manninen P, Kauhanen J, Lakka TA, Salonen JT (2004) Perceived health as a predictor of early retirement. Scand J Work Environ Health 30(4):287–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klerk MMY (2000) Rapportage gehandicapten 2000:Arbeidsmarkt en financiële situatie van mensen met beperkingen en/of chronische ziekten [report of the handicapped 2000: employment and financial situation of people with limitations and/or chronic diseases]. Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, Den Haag

    Google Scholar 

  • Koolhaas W, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW, Brouwer S (2012) Towards a sustainable healthy working life: associations between chronological age, functional age and work outcomes. Eur J Pub Health 22(3):424–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koskinen S, Martelin T, Sainio P, Gould R (2008) Health. In: Gould R, Ilmarinen J, Jarvisalo J, Koskinen S (eds) Dimensions of work ability: results of the health 2000 survey. The Social Insurance Institution, National Public Health Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finnish Centre for Pensions, pp 65–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerner D, Amick BC III, Lee JC, Rooney T, Rogers WH, Chang H et al (2003) Relationship of employee-reported work limitations to work productivity. Med Care 41(5):649–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Li CY, Sung FC (1999) A review of the healthy worker effect in occupational epidemiology. Occup Med (Oxford, England) 49(4):225–229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plat MC, Frings-Dresen MH, Sluiter JK (2011) Which subgroups of fire fighters are more prone to work-related diminished health requirements? Int Arch Occup Environ Health 85(7):775–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pohjonen T (2001) Perceived work ability of home care workers in relation to individual and work-related factors in different age groups. Occup Med (Oxford, England) 51(3):209–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rapp SR, Rejeski WJ, Miller ME (2000) Physical function among older adults with knee pain: the role of pain coping skills. Arthr Care Res 13(5):270–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robroek SJ, van Lenthe FJ, van Empelen P, Burdorf A (2009) Determinants of participation in worksite health promotion programmes: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Activity 6:26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roskes K, Donders CG, van der Gulden JW (2005) Health-related and work-related aspects associated with sick leave: a comparison of chronically ill and non-chronically ill workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78(4):270–278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salonen P, Arola H, Nygard CH, Huhtala H, Koivisto AM (2003) Factors associated with premature departure from working life among ageing food industry employees. Occup Med (Oxford, England) 53(1):65–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sandmark H, Hagglund K, Nilsson K, Hertting A (2009) Understanding work ability: experiences of female assistant nurses in elderly care. Work 34(3):373–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreuder JA, Plat N, Mageroy N, Moen BE, van der Klink JJ, Groothoff JW et al (2011) Self-rated coping styles and registered sickness absence among nurses working in hospital care: a prospective 1-year cohort study. Int J Nurs Stud 48(7):838–846

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreurs PJG, Willige G van de, Brosschot JF, Tellegen B, Graus GMH (1993) De Utrechtse Coping Lijst: UCL. handleiding [the Utrecht Coping List: UCL. Manual]. Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse

  • Schultz AB, Chen CY, Edington DW (2009) The cost and impact of health conditions on presenteeism to employers: a review of the literature. PharmacoEconomics 27(5):365–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuring M, Burdorf L, Kunst A, Mackenbach J (2007) The effects of ill health on entering and maintaining paid employment: evidence in European countries. J Epidemiol Community Health 61(7):597–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seitsamo J, Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Gould R (2008) Work and the work environment. In: Gould R, Ilmarinen J, Jarvisalo J, Koskinen S (eds) Dimensions of work ability: results of the health 2000 survey. Finnish Centre for Pensions, The Social Insurance Institution, National Public Health Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, pp 99–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Sell L, Bultmann U, Rugulies R, Villadsen E, Faber A, Sogaard K (2009) Predicting long-term sickness absence and early retirement pension from self-reported work ability. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82(9):1133–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah D (2009) Healthy worker effect phenomenon. Indian J Occup Environ Med 13(2):77–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shimazu A, Schaufeli WB (2007) Does distraction facilitate problem-focused coping with job stress? A 1 year longitudinal study. J Behav Med 30(5):423–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjogren-Ronka T, Ojanen MT, Leskinen EK, Tmustalampi S, Malkia EA (2002) Physical and psychosocial prerequisites of functioning in relation to work ability and general subjective well-being among office workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 28(3):184–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slim ZN, Dowli A, Chaaya M, Mahfoud Z, Uthman I (2011) Coping and disability: evidence from a developing country. Int J Rheum Dis 14(1):61–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH (2008) Quality of life and illness perception in working and sick-listed chronic RSI patients. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81(4):495–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen LE, Pekkonen MM, Mannikko KH, Louhevaara VA, Smolander J, Alen MJ (2008) Associations between work ability, health-related quality of life, physical activity and fitness among middle-aged men. Applied Ergonomics 39(6):786–791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Eskelinen L, Jarvinen E, Toikkanen J, Klockars M (1991) Prevalence and incidence rates of diseases and work ability in different work categories of municipal occupations. Scand J Work Environ Health 17(Suppl 1):67–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Jahkola A, Katajarinne L, Tulkki A (1998) Work ability index. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuomi K, Huuhtanen P, Nykyri E, Ilmarinen J (2001) Promotion of work ability, the quality of work and retirement. Occup Med (Oxford, England) 51(5):318–324

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van den Berg TI, Alavinia SM, Bredt FJ, Lindeboom D, Elders LA, Burdorf A (2008) The influence of psychosocial factors at work and life style on health and work ability among professional workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81(8):1029–1036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van den Berg TI, Elders LA, de Zwart BC, Burdorf A (2009) The effects of work-related and individual factors on the work ability index: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med 66(4):211–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Klink JJ, Blonk RW, Schene AH, van Dijk FJ (2003) Reducing long term sickness absence by an activating intervention in adjustment disorders: a cluster randomised controlled design. Occup Environ Med 60(6):429–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Zee KI, Sanderman R (1993) Het meten van de algemene gezondheidstoestand met de RAND-36. een handleiding [measuring general health status with the RAND-36. A manual]. NCG, Groningen

  • van Rhenen W, Schaufeli WB, van Dijk FJ, Blonk RW (2008) Coping and sickness absence. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81(4):461–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vuori J, Toppinen-Tanner S, Mutanen P (2012) Effects of resource-building group intervention on career management and mental health in work organizations: randomized controlled field trial. J Appl Psychol 97(2):273–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warr P, Cook J, Waal T (1979) Scales for the measurement of some work attitude and aspects of psychological well-being. J Occup Psychol 52:129–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

This study was conducted with the ethical approval of the Medical Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, FA10, Room 621, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Wendy Koolhaas, Jac J. L. van der Klink, Michiel R. de Boer, Johan W. Groothoff & Sandra Brouwer

  2. Department of Health Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Michiel R. de Boer

Authors
  1. Wendy Koolhaas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jac J. L. van der Klink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michiel R. de Boer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Johan W. Groothoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sandra Brouwer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wendy Koolhaas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koolhaas, W., van der Klink, J.J.L., de Boer, M.R. et al. Chronic health conditions and work ability in the ageing workforce: the impact of work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 433–443 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0882-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0882-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation