A1 Journal article (refereed)
Work incapacity among family caregivers : a record linkage study (2022)


Mikkola, T. M., Mänty, M., Kautiainen, H., von Bonsdorff, M. B., Haanpää, M., Koponen, H., Kröger, T., & Eriksson, J. G. (2022). Work incapacity among family caregivers : a record linkage study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 76(6), 580-585. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-217901


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Mikkola, Tuija M.; Mänty, Minna; Kautiainen, Hannu; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela B.; Haanpää, Maija; Koponen, Hannu; Kröger, Teppo; Eriksson, Johan G.

Journal or series: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

ISSN: 0143-005X

eISSN: 1470-2738

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 08/02/2022

Volume: 76

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 580-585

Publisher: BMJ

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-217901

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79779


Abstract

Background Family caregiving-related physical and mental health problems may lead to work incapacity in employed caregivers. The aim of this study was to quantify sickness absences and disability pensions (SADP) among high-intensity family caregivers available to the labour market compared with a control population.

Methods The study sample included all individuals in Finland, who had received caregiver’s allowance and were available to the labour market in 2012 (n=16 982) and their controls (n=35 371). Information on the number of sickness absence (spells >10 days) and disability pension (SADP) days and related diagnoses according to ICD-10 were obtained from national registers for the years 2012–2017. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex, occupational status, education, income and degree of urbanisation.

Results During the follow-up, 40.9% of caregivers and 39.5% of controls had at least one sickness absence spell and 6.1% and 4.7%, respectively, received disability pension. The mean annual number of SADP days was 23.2 (95% CI 22.3 to 24.1) for caregivers and 18.5 (95% CI 18.0 to 19.0) for controls (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR)=1.16, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.22). The number of annual SADP days due to mental disorders was higher in caregivers (7.2, 95% CI 6.7 to 7.8) than controls (4.0, 95% CI 3.8 to 4.3; adjusted IRR 1.58, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.75). There were no differences in SADP days due to cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or musculoskeletal diseases, or external causes.

Discussion Higher number of SADP days due to mental disorders in caregivers suggests that family caregiving has an adverse effect on work capacity and that caregivers are at increased risk for mental disorders.


Keywords: family caregivers; sickness absences; incapacity for work; mental health problems; mental disorders


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2


Last updated on 2024-03-04 at 17:55