Unresolved conflicts and shaming processes

Risk Factors for Long-Term Sick Leave for Mental-Health Reasons

Bibliographic Data

ID3057572
AuthorsLena Ede, Bengt Starrin
Year2014
Volume5
Issue1
Pages39-54
Publication date2014-01-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNordic Journal of Social Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1892-2783 • E-ISSN: 1892-2783
PublisherScandinavian University Press (PUBLISHER • NO)
DOI10.7577/njsr.2074
OpenAlexW119960675
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited17

Mental illness is the most common diagnosis resulting in long-term sick leave in Sweden today, especially stress-related syndromes and mood disorders. The aim of this article is to analyse the relational and emotional processes in the workplace that may contribute to the understanding of long-term sick leave for mental-health reasons. We conducted interviews with twenty-six people who were on sick-leave because of diagnoses of mental ill-health. The empirical material was analysed using Classic Grounded Theory. We suggest that the risk of being afflicted with mental illness, and forced into long-term sick leave, increases when there are conflicts at work that remain unresolved and which lead to malignant shaming processes that jeopardize personal dignity. In their struggle to maintain self-esteem, the afflicted escalate their work efforts by increasing work intensity, putting in overtime, and working when ill. Eventually, this behaviour affects their health and results in sick-listing. The strengths and weaknesses of the study are discussed along with the need for further research

Dignity · Environmental health · MEDLINE · Mental health · Mental illness · Mood · Overtime · Political science · Psychiatry · Sick leave · Sick role · Term (time · Employment and Welfare Studies · Law · Medicine · Occupational Health and Safety Research · Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Health and Well-being

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