Work stress' economic impact in medical costs and absence from work

研究结果本研究以某金属制品厂为研究对象，探讨职业压力对经济的影响。试验组由3975名男性和2155名女性员工组成，年龄在19-55岁之间。采用工作内容问卷和努力-回报不平衡问卷对工作压力进行量化。评估了因缺勤和医疗费用而损失的劳动力的经济价值。(1)缺勤：本研究中的缺勤包括病假、带薪假期和无故缺勤。男性平均随访日数和几何平均缺勤日数分别为1200【正负】223和0.619【乘除】0.292，女性为1257【正负】164和0.825【乘除】0.289。通过将高分组和低分组的缺勤天数之差乘以平均工资，我们估计低分控制组的劳动力损失相当于男性10100日元/30天，女性10700日元/30天。男性低工地支持组的劳动损失相当于8600日元/30天。(2)健康保险报告的医疗费用：排除问卷调查前一个月内已使用健康保险的受试者。平均随访时间为43.8【正负】1.0个月。对于男性而言，低工作场所支持组的50%医疗支出每月比高工作场所支持组多约330日元。这些结果表明，预防工作压力不仅有利于健康，而且具有经济效益。

RESEARCH RESULTSThe object of this study was to evaluate the economic influence of vocational stress in a metal-products factory. The test group consisted of 3975 male and 2155 female employees aged 19-55. Work stress was quantified using the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-reward Imbalance Questionnaire. Lost labor in economic value due to absence from work and medical costs were evaluated.(1) absence from work :Absence from work in this study is comprised of sick leave, paid holidays and absences without clear reasons. The mean follow-up days and geometric mean days of absence from work per 30 days were 1200【plus-minus】223 and 0.619【multiply-divide】0.292 for males and 1257【plus-minus】164 and 0.825【multiply-divide】0.289 for females. By multiplying the difference of absent days from work between the high score group and the low score group by average wage, we estimated that the labor loss of the low job control group was equivalent to 10,100 Yen/30 days for males and 10,700 Yen/30 days for females. The labor loss of the low worksite support group for males was equivalent to 8,600 Yen/30 days.(2) medical costs reported by the Health Insurance :The subjects who had used the Health Insurance during the one month period preceding the Questionnaire survey were excluded. The mean follow-up months was 43.8【plus-minus】1.0. For males, the 50% tile value of medical expenditure in the low worksite support group was about 330 Yen per month more than that in the high worksite support group.These results show that the prevention of work stress is not only beneficial for health but also economically beneficial.