Determinants of regional differences in sick leave duration for homogeneous groups in The Netherlands: their implications for social security policy-making.
Regional differences in sick leave duration determinants were studied between in age and profession homogeneous groups in different regions in The Netherlands, i.e. Utrecht and Southern Limburg, in order to find any effects of socio-cultural factors. 137 participants in Utrecht and Southern Limburg were interviewed. Data of sick leave duration were obtained from the social fund. A statistical comparison of sick leave duration figures showed that, in Southern Limburg, determinants of 'health status' (questions about perceived health and burnout due to work) and 'individual characteristics and circumstances' (age, gender and satisfaction with private circumstances) were associated with sick leave duration and, in Utrecht, the 'work contents' determinant autonomy. In the regions studied, different determinants appeared to be associated with sick leave duration and for some of them the European integration was assumed to have a lasting effect. Nationwide policy interventions to reduce sick leave duration should take into account the existence of regional differences in determinants predicting sick leave duration and the potential effects of different socio-cultural characteristics on laying claim to social security.