HEALTH COMPLAINTS, SOCIAL COMPARISONS, AND ABSENTEEISM

In this study the relationship between health problems and objectively recorded absence frequency is investigated from a social psychologica l perspective in a prospective design. By employing LISREL, a model is developed (tested and revised) among blue-collar workers in Plant Nor th (N = 254) of a metal factory and successfully cross-validated in Pl ant South (N = 199). The results of this study support the assumption that health complaints affect absence frequency through two social com parison processes. First, employees are more inclined to attribute the ir health complaints to the work environment, the more often they comm unicate with their colleagues about problems in their work situation. Second, the more employees experience health problems, and the more em ployees attribute these problems to the work environment, the less wel l off they feel compared with others outside the company. This unfavou rable external comparison results in absences, indicating that absence from work can be interpreted as an attempt by the employee to reduce an inequitable relationship with the company. These results are discus sed in the context of theoretical and practical implications.