Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Associations Between Personality Characteristics and Absenteeism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Workers With and Without Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

  • Published:
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose Although numerous studies have identified risk factors for sickness absence, few studies have addressed the role of personality characteristics in absenteeism. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of the Big 5 personality characteristics (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness) and locus of control with absenteeism, taking the presence of depressive and anxiety disorders into account. Methods Cross-sectional data from the baseline measurement of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) were examined. NESDA includes persons with current or remitted depressive and anxiety disorders and healthy controls, of which 1883 working participants were selected. Personality characteristics were included as predictor variables, short-term (0–2 weeks) and long-term (>2 weeks) absenteeism as outcome measure. The presence of depressive and anxiety disorders was considered as modifying covariate. Results In healthy workers, high neuroticism, external locus of control, low extraversion, low agreeableness and low conscientiousness were associated with short-term absenteeism. In addition, high neuroticism, low extraversion and low openness were related to long-term absenteeism in healthy workers. In workers with psychopathology, similar associations were found for persons with this profile (high neuroticism, external locus of control, low extraversion and low conscientiousness) with long-term absenteeism, but no associations of these characteristics were found with short-term absenteeism. Conclusions Personality characteristics were significantly associated with work absenteeism in both workers with and without anxiety or depression. Interventions aimed at preventing sickness absence may focus on reducing neuroticism and strengthening extraversion, conscientiousness and locus of control.

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

  1. Henderson M, Glozier N, Holland EK. Long term sickness absence. BMJ. 2005;330(7495):802–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. CBS. De Nederlandse economie 2009 [In English: The Dutch economy 2009]. 2010. Den Haag/Heerlen, Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek.

  3. Bowling A. What things are important in people’s lives? A survey of the public’s judgements to inform scales of health related quality of life. Soc Sci Med. 1995;41(10):1447–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bilsker D, Wiseman S, Gilbert M. Managing depression-related occupational disability: a pragmatic approach. Can J Psychiatry. 2006;51(2):76–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. World Health Organization. Towards a common language for functioning, disability and health. ICF. 2002. Geneva.

  6. Duijts SF, Kant I, Swaen GM, van den Brandt PA, Zeegers MP. A meta-analysis of observational studies identifies predictors of sickness absence. J Clin Epidemiol. 2007;60(11):1105–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dekkers-Sanchez PM, Hoving JL, Sluiter JK, Frings-Dresen MH. Factors associated with long-term sick leave in sick-listed employees: a systematic review. Occup Environ Med. 2008;65(3):153–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Vlasveld MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, Bultmann U, Beekman ATF, van Mechelen W, Hoedeman R et al. Predicting return to work in workers with all-cause sickness absence greater than 4 weeks: a prospective cohort study. J Occup Rehabil 2011.

  9. Jansen NW, Kant IJ, van Amelsvoort LG, Kristensen TS, Swaen GM, Nijhuis FJ. Work-family conflict as a risk factor for sickness absence. Occup Environ Med. 2006;63(7):488–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Westerlund H, Nyberg A, Bernin P, Hyde M, Oxenstierna G, Jappinen P, et al. Managerial leadership is associated with employee stress, health, and sickness absence independently of the demand-control-support model. Work. 2010;37(1):71–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hintsa T, Hintsanen M, Jokela M, Pulkki-Raback L, Keltikangas-Jarvinen L. Divergent influence of different type A dimensions on job strain and effort-reward imbalance. J Occup Environ Med. 2010;52(1):1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hintsa T, Hintsanen M, Jokela M, Elovainio M, Raitakari O, Keltikangas-Jarvinen L. The influence of temperament on long-term job strain and its components: the cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study. Personal Individ Differ. 2010;49:700–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Judge TA, Bono JE. Relationship of core self-evaluations traits–self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability–with job satisfaction and job performance: a meta-analysis. J Appl Psychol. 2001;86(1):80–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Michon HW, ten Have M, Kroon H, van Weeghel J, de Graaf R, Schene AH. Mental disorders and personality traits as determinants of impaired work functioning. Psychol Med. 2008;38(11):1627–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cuijpers P, Smit F, Penninx BW, de Graaf R, ten Have M, Beekman AT. Economic costs of neuroticism: a population-based study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010;67(10):1086–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kruijshaar ME, Hoeymans N, Bijl RV, Spijker J, Essink-Bot ML. Levels of disability in major depression: findings from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). J Affect Disord. 2003;77(1):53–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Ormel J, Oldehinkel AJ, Vollebergh W. Vulnerability before, during, and after a major depressive episode: a 3-wave population-based study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2004;61(10):990–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Kendler KS, Gatz M, Gardner CO, Pedersen NL. Personality and major depression: a Swedish longitudinal, population-based twin study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63(10):1113–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Malouff JM, Thorsteinsson EB, Schutte NS. The relationship between the five-factor model of personality and symptoms of clinical disorders: a meta-analysis. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2005;27(2):101–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Plaisier I, Beekman AT, de Graaf R, Smit JH, van Dyck R, Penninx BW. Work functioning in persons with depressive and anxiety disorders: the role of specific psychopathological characteristics. J Affect Disord. 2010;125(1–3):198–206.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Penninx BW, Beekman AT, Smit JH, Zitman FG, Nolen WA, Spinhoven P, et al. The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA): rationale, objectives and methods. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2008;17(3):121–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Hakkaart-van Roijen L. Manual Trimbos/iMTA questionnaire for costs associated with psychiatric illness (in Dutch). Rotterdam: Institute for Medical Technology Assessment; 2002.

  23. Uegaki K, de Bruijne MC, Anema JR, van der Beek AJ, van Tulder MW, van Mechelen W. Consensus-based findings and recommendations for estimating the costs of health-related productivity loss from a company’s perspective. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2007;33(2):122–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Costa PT Jr, McCrae RR. Domains and facets: hierarchical personality assessment using the revised NEO personality inventory. J Pers Assess. 1995;64(1):21–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Pearlin LI, Schooler C. The structure of coping. J Health Social Behav. 1978;19:2–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Parker WD, Stumpf H. A validation of the five-factor model of personality in academically talented youth across observers and instruments. Personal Individ Differ. 1998;25:1005–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Karasek R, Brisson C, Kawakami N, Houtman I, Bongers P, Amick B. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ): an instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psychol. 1998;3(4):322–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. van Rhenen W, Schaufeli WB, van Dijk FJ, Blonk RW. Coping and sickness absence. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2008;81(4):461–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Chaturvedi SK. Chronic idiopathic pain disorder. J Psychosom Res. 1986;30(2):199–203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Grant S, Langan-Fox J. Personality and the occupational stressor-strain relationship: the role of the big five. J Occup Health Psychol. 2007;12(1):20–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Laaksonen M, Pitkaniemi J, Rahkonen O, Lahelma E. Work arrangements, physical working conditions, and psychosocial working conditions as risk factors for sickness absence: Bayesian analysis of prospective data. Ann Epidemiol. 2010;20(5):332–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Griens AM, Jonker K, Spinhoven P, Blom MB. The influence of depressive state features on trait measurement. J Affect Disord. 2002;70(1):95–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Costa PT Jr, Bagby RM, Herbst JH, McCrae RR. Personality self-reports are concurrently reliable and valid during acute depressive episodes. J Affect Disord. 2005;89(1–3):45–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Clark LA, Vittengl J, Kraft D, Jarrett RB. Separate personality traits from states to predict depression. J Pers Disord. 2003;17(2):152–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Nezu AM. Efficacy of a social problem-solving therapy approach for unipolar depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1986;54(2):196–202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Oxman TE, Hegel MT, Hull JG, Dietrich AJ. Problem-solving treatment and coping styles in primary care for minor depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2008;76(6):933–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Loisel P, Durand MJ, Berthelette D, Vézina N, Baril R, Gagnon D et al. Disability prevention. New paradigm for the management of occupational back pain. Dis Manag Health Outcomes 2001; 9(7):351–360.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The infrastructure for the NESDA study (www.nesda.nl) is funded through the Geestkracht program of the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (Zon-Mw, grant number 10-000-1002) and is supported by participating universities and mental health care organizations (VU University Medical Center, GGZ inGeest, Arkin, Leiden University Medical Center, GGZ Rivierduinen, University Medical Center Groningen, Lentis, GGZ Friesland, GGZ Drenthe, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ healthcare), Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) and Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos). Furthermore, we would like to thank Inger Plaisier from the VU University, for her support in selecting the data.

Conflict of interest

M.C. Vlasveld: None. C. M. van der Feltz-Cornelis: The Trimbos-institute received funding for the study from the Foundation for Innovation of Health Insurers (‘Innovatiefonds Zorgverzekeraars’), received payment for a presentation at the IJIC conference, received grants for Collaborative Care trials for anxiety (from the Netherlands organisation for health research and development, ‘ZonMw’) and for return to work (from Achmea), and received a payment from Eli Lilly for a lecture on diabetes and depression. C. M. van der Feltz-Cornelis received royalties for books on psychiatry. J.R. Anema: J.R. Anema is shareholder of a VU University Medical Center spin-off company, Evalua Nederland B.V. (www.evalua.nl). W. van Mechelen: W. van Mechelen is director-shareholder of a VU University Medical Center spin-off company, Evalua Nederland B.V. (www.evalua.nl). A.T.F. Beekman: A.T.F. Beekman received grants for research support from Eli Lilly, Astra Zeneca, Jansen, and Shire; and as a speaker from Eli Lilly and Lundbeck. H. W. J. van Marwijk: None. B. W. J. H. Penninx: None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostics and Treatment, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, the Trimbos-institute, PO Box 725, 3500 AS, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Moniek C. Vlasveld & Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

  2. Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Center, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Moniek C. Vlasveld, Johannes R. Anema & Willem van Mechelen

  3. Department of Tranzo, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

  4. GGZ Breburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

  5. Research Center for Insurance Medicine AMC-UMCG-UWV-VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Johannes R. Anema & Willem van Mechelen

  6. GGZinGeest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Aartjan T. F. Beekman

  7. Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Brenda W. J. H. Penninx

  8. Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Harm W. J. van Marwijk

  9. Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Brenda W. J. H. Penninx

  10. Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Brenda W. J. H. Penninx

Authors
  1. Moniek C. Vlasveld
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Johannes R. Anema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Willem van Mechelen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Aartjan T. F. Beekman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Harm W. J. van Marwijk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Moniek C. Vlasveld.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vlasveld, M.C., van der Feltz-Cornelis, C.M., Anema, J.R. et al. The Associations Between Personality Characteristics and Absenteeism: A Cross-Sectional Study in Workers With and Without Depressive and Anxiety Disorders. J Occup Rehabil 23, 309–317 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-012-9406-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-012-9406-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation