Predictors of work ability in employees with migraine/severe headaches

Abstract

Background This study aims to determine to which extent job demands and job resources predict work ability in employees with migraine/severe headaches, and whether work ability for these employees is more hampered by high demands and lack of resources than for employees without chronic disease. Methods Secondary analyses are conducted on data from the 2013 Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (NWCS). Through a self-report questionnaire the NWCS assesses amongst others job demands (quantitative, emotional, and cognitive demands), job resources (autonomy, supervisor and colleague support) and indicators of work ability, i.e. absenteeism, employability, work engagement, and emotional exhaustion. Regression analyses are conducted to determine the association between job demands and resources and work ability in 680 employees with migraine/severe headaches in comparison to 13,086 employees without chronic disease. Findings In employees with migraine/severe headaches higher quantitative and emotional demands contribute to higher absenteeism and emotional exhaustion, whereas higher cognitive demands are associated with higher work engagement. Higher autonomy is related to higher employability, lower absenteeism and lower emotional exhaustion. Higher supervisor and colleague support is associated with higher employability, higher engagement and lower emotional exhaustion. Only supervisor support emerged as a stronger predictor for engagement in employees with migraine/severe headaches than in employees without chronic disease. Discussion Overall, job demands and resources seem to be as important for work ability of employees with migraine/ severe headaches as for employees without chronic disease. Only with regard to work engagement, employees with these chronic conditions seem to benefit more strongly from a supportive supervisor.