Background
The aim of this study is to investigate whether experience of meaning at work (MAW) and affective organizational commitment (AOC) predict risk of disability pensioning in four occupational groups.
Methods
Survey data from 40,554 individuals were fitted to a national register (DREAM) containing information on payments of disability pension. Using multi‐adjusted Cox‐regression, observations were followed in the DREAM‐register to assess risk of disability pensioning.
Results
Low levels of MAW significantly increased risk of disability pensioning during follow‐up referencing high levels of MAW. Respondents with medium levels of AOC had a significantly reduced risk of disability pensioning, when compared to respondents with high levels of AOC. Furthermore, results indicate an interaction effect between AOC and MAW in predicting risk of disability pension.
Conclusions
AOC and MAW are significantly associated with risk of disability pensioning. Promoting MAW and managing AOC in contemporary workplaces may contribute towards reducing risk of disability pensioning. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:709–717, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.