TY - JOUR

T1 - Predictors of return to work for people on sick leave with depression, anxiety and stress

T2 - secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial

AU - Bjørkedal, Siv Therese

AU - Fisker, Jonas

AU - Hellström, Lone Christina

AU - Hoff, Andreas

AU - Poulsen, Rie Mandrup

AU - Hjorthøj, Carsten

AU - Bojesen, Anders Bo

AU - Rosenberg, Nicole Gremaud

AU - Eplov, Lene Falgaard

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Purpose: Knowledge about predictors of return to work (RTW) in people on sick leave with common mental disorders (CMDs) may inform the development of effective vocational rehabilitation interventions for this target group. In this study, we investigated predictors of RTW at 6 and 12 months in people on sick leave with depression, anxiety disorders or stress-related disorders. Methods: We have performed a secondary analysis, utilizing data from two RCTs that evaluated the efficacy of an integrated health care and vocational rehabilitation intervention. Data were obtained from mental health assessments, questionnaires and registers. Using Cox regression analysis, the relationship between baseline variables and RTW was analysed at 6 and 12 months after randomization within the group of CMD as a whole and within the subgroups of depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders. Results: Symptom burden and employment status at baseline predicted RTW in the CMD group (n = 1245) and in the three diagnostic subgroups at both time points. RTW self-efficacy predicted RTW in the depression group but not in the anxiety or stress subgroups. Conclusion: Many predictors of RTW were similar over time and, to some extent, across the CMD subgroups. Findings highlight the need not only to take health-related and psychological factors into account when developing vocational rehabilitation interventions but also to consider workplace strategies and options for support.

AB - Purpose: Knowledge about predictors of return to work (RTW) in people on sick leave with common mental disorders (CMDs) may inform the development of effective vocational rehabilitation interventions for this target group. In this study, we investigated predictors of RTW at 6 and 12 months in people on sick leave with depression, anxiety disorders or stress-related disorders. Methods: We have performed a secondary analysis, utilizing data from two RCTs that evaluated the efficacy of an integrated health care and vocational rehabilitation intervention. Data were obtained from mental health assessments, questionnaires and registers. Using Cox regression analysis, the relationship between baseline variables and RTW was analysed at 6 and 12 months after randomization within the group of CMD as a whole and within the subgroups of depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders. Results: Symptom burden and employment status at baseline predicted RTW in the CMD group (n = 1245) and in the three diagnostic subgroups at both time points. RTW self-efficacy predicted RTW in the depression group but not in the anxiety or stress subgroups. Conclusion: Many predictors of RTW were similar over time and, to some extent, across the CMD subgroups. Findings highlight the need not only to take health-related and psychological factors into account when developing vocational rehabilitation interventions but also to consider workplace strategies and options for support.

KW - Mental health

KW - Occupational rehabilitation

KW - Prognostic factors

KW - Sickness absence

KW - Work participation

U2 - 10.1007/s00420-023-01968-7

DO - 10.1007/s00420-023-01968-7

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36934162

AN - SCOPUS:85150302227

VL - 96

SP - 715

EP - 734

JO - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

JF - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

SN - 0340-0131

IS - 5

ER -