Researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland measured four major stressful events: death or serious illness of a loved one; serious financial problems; being a victim of psychological or sexual violence; and severe interpersonal conflict, such as divorce.

The research involved 2,991 municipal workers, 73 percent of whom were female. The scientists set out to determine the link between psychosocial factors and health by examining the number of sick days the study participants had taken from work.

The researchers found that stressful events for men were associated with psychological problems, increased alcohol use, smoking, and health problems.

Although stressful events caused psychological problems and increased smoking among the women participants, there was no increase in sick days taken.

The study's findings are published in the September/October 2002 issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.

Kivimäki, M., Vahtera, J., Elovainio, M., Lillrank, B., & Kevin, M. (2002) Death or Illness of a Family Member, Violence, Interpersonal Conflict, and Financial Difficulties as Predictors of Sickness Absence: Longitudinal Cohort Study on Psychological and Behavioral Links. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64: 817-825.

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