Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Wilcox-Gök, Virginia Louise
Degree Name
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Legacy Department
Department of Economics
Abstract
This dissertation examines the effect of mental health on own health-related absenteeism among employed adults in the United States, using data from the 2010–2014 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The MEPS uniquely differentiates between absences due to one’s own health and those due to another person’s health, enabling causal estimation of individual-level factors influencing absence decisions.
The analysis incorporates both mental and physical health measures, including diagnostic indicators and self-reported general well being, which are used as proxies for severity that may affect both diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals. Results reveal a consistent pattern: individuals experiencing high psychological distress but lacking a formal diagnosis have higher absenteeism rates than similarly distressed individuals with a diagnosis. This finding holds across gender and also emerges in the context of physical health, where individuals with a diagnosed mental illness demonstrate better attendance outcomes when in poor physical health compared to undiagnosed peers. These patterns suggest that diagnosed individuals may benefit from better health management and coping strategies.
The study also explores how employer-provided benefits moderate the impact of mental illness on absenteeism. While employer-sponsored healthcare generally correlates with increased absenteeism—potentially due to substitution effects—it appears to mitigate the adverse effects of mental illness on absence. This mitigating effect is especially pronounced when employees have access to multiple health insurance options through their employer.
Overall, this dissertation underscores the importance of mental health recognition and diagnosis in supporting workplace productivity and highlights the potential of targeted benefit structures to improve outcomes for workers with mental health challenges.
Recommended Citation
Vrona, Kristin Marie, "An Analysis of Mental Health and Workplace Absenteeism" (2025). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 8141.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/8141
Extent
125 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
