This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Martikainen, P. Articles by Lallukka, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Martikainen, P. Articles by Lallukka, T. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Does survey non-response bias the association between occupational social class and health?

Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland, Population Research Unit, Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, Finland, Pekka.Martikainen{at}Helsinki.Fi

Mikko Laaksonen

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Kustaa Piha

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Tea Lallukka

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Aims: A non-response rate of 20—40%is typical in questionnaire studies. The authors evaluate non-response bias and its impact on analyses of social class inequalities in health. Methods: Set in the context of a health survey carried out among the employees of the City of Helsinki (non-response 33%) in 2000—02. Survey response and non-response records were linked with a personnel register to provide information on occupational social class and long sickness absence spells as an indicator of health status. Results: Women and employees in higher occupational social classes were more likely to respond. Non-respondents had about 20—30% higher sickness absence rates. Relative social class differences in sickness absence in the total population were similar to those among either respondents or non-respondents. Conclusions: In working populations survey non-response does not seriously bias analyses of social class inequalities in sickness absence and possibly health inequalities more generally.

Key Words: Bias • health • non-response • occupational social class

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, No. 2, 212-215 (2007)
DOI: 10.1080/14034940600996563


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Salonsalmi, M. Laaksonen, E. Lahelma, and O. Rahkonen Drinking habits and sickness absence: The contribution of working conditions Scand J Public Health, November 1, 2009; 37(8): 846 - 854. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E Laaksonen, P Martikainen, T Lallukka, E Lahelma, J Ferrie, O Rahkonen, M Marmot, and J Head Economic difficulties and common mental disorders among Finnish and British white-collar employees: the contribution of social and behavioural factors J Epidemiol Community Health, June 1, 2009; 63(6): 439 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E Ferrie, M. Kivimaki, A. Singh-Manoux, A. Shortt, P. Martikainen, J. Head, M. Marmot, D. Gimeno, R. De Vogli, M. Elovainio, et al. Non-response to baseline, non-response to follow-up and mortality in the Whitehall II cohort Int. J. Epidemiol., June 1, 2009; 38(3): 831 - 837. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Laaksonen, P. Martikainen, J. Head, O. Rahkonen, M. G. Marmot, and E. Lahelma Associations of multiple socio-economic circumstances with physical functioning among Finnish and British employees Eur J Public Health, January 1, 2009; 19(1): 38 - 45. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Haapea, J. Miettunen, E. Laara, M. I. Joukamaa, M.-R. Jarvelin, M. K. Isohanni, and J. M. Veijola Non-participation in a field survey with respect to psychiatric disorders Scand J Public Health, September 1, 2008; 36(7): 728 - 736. [Abstract] [PDF]