How psychological stress in the workplace influences presenteeism propensity: A test of the Demand-Control-Support model

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the sources of psychological stress at work assumed by the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) model on presenteeism propensity. Research propositions are derived from the dynamic version of the Demand-Control model, to which we added the dimension of social support, which is part of the DCS model. Data were obtained from a large representative sample consisting of 1609 public and private sector workers living in the Canadian province of Quebec, who responded to a questionnaire, administered using computer-assisted interviewing over a 3-month period in 2007-2008. The results indicate that the combination of low decision authority and high supervisor's support attenuates the positive relationship between job demands and presenteeism propensity within a 10-year time frame of exposure to a new job.