Table 4

Effect of previous sickness absence patterns (2001–2007) on single-items regarding current social support at work (2008)

Sickness absence history*The atmosphere at my workplace is not calm and pleasant†The collegiality at work is not good†My colleagues are not there for me†People at work do not understand that I can have a bad day†I do not get along well with my superiors†I do not get along well with my colleagues†
OR95% CIOR95% CIOR95% CIOR95% CIOR95% CIOR95% CI
Stable low1.21.0 to 1.61.71.3 to 2.32.31.6 to 3.21.41.1 to 1.91.20.8 to 1.71.50.9 to 2.4
Distant high1.91.3 to 2.61.40.9 to 2.31.20.7 to 2.30.90.6 to 1.51.30.7 to 2.30.90.4 to 2.1
Recent high1.61.0 to 2.31.50.9 to 2.62.71.6 to 4.61.20.7 to 2.01.81.0 to 3.22.31.2 to 4.4
Stable high2.51.8 to 3.52.91.9 to 4.52.61.6 to 4.41.71.1 to 2.61.91.1 to 3.32.51.4 to 4.7
  • Logistic regression analysis, age adjusted.

  • *No absence: no registered sickness absence days (SA, ie, beyond 14 days) during the follow-up period 2001–2007. Stable low: SA below the median split 2001–2007. Distant high: SA above the median split 2001–2004 and below the median split 2005–2007. Recent high: SA below the median split 2001–2004 and above the median split 2005–2007. Stable high: SA above the median split 2001–2007.

  • †For all outcomes, the odds of responding ‘agree to some extent’ or ‘agree’ to the given items are calculated. Each sickness absence history group is contrasted to those with no registered sickness absence (reference group). Missing responses handled using multiple imputations.