Relationship between occupational stress and presenteeism status among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2024;79(2):83-90. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2024.2359409. Epub 2024 Jun 3.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify characteristics of workers experiencing health problems without a decline in labor productivity to address presenteeism. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 554 workers in Japan, with a median age of 43 years. Participants reported any health problems in the past month, along with job stressors, stress responses, social support, and job and life satisfaction using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. They were categorized into three groups: "no symptoms," "pre-presenteeism" (health problems without work impact), and "presenteeism" (health problems with work impact). Results showed that 30.1% were in "prepresenteeism" and 52.0% in "presenteeism." Stress responses and social support were linked to both "pre-presenteeism" and "presenteeism," while job stressors and job and life satisfaction were only associated with "presenteeism." These findings offer insights for preventing presenteeism.

Keywords: Efficiency; job stress; medium-sized business; small businesses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Stress* / epidemiology
  • Occupational Stress* / psychology
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Presenteeism* / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Support
  • Surveys and Questionnaires