Title
Depressed and absent from work: Predicting prolonged depressive symptomatology among employees
Author
Brenninkmeijer, V.
Houtman, I.
Blonk, R.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2008
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization considers depression a major health problem and a leading cause of disability. Aim To identify factors which may help to reduce depressive symptoms in a sample of employees sick listed due to mental health problems. Methods: Longitudinal cohort study of employees sick listed for 12-20 weeks due to mental health problems. Individuals were followed for 1 year. After a screening questionnaire, we conducted standardized interviews by telephone, assessing individuals' mental health, work characteristics and actions by employers. Results: A total of 555 employees commenced the study and 436 participated in the second interview. Response rates were 42% for the screening questionnaire, 93% for the first interview and 79% for the second interview. Individuals with low education and sole breadwinners showed a less favourable course of depressive symptoms. Work resumption (partial and full) and changing the employee's tasks (action by employer) promoted a more favourable course of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The findings point to the importance of work resumption and a change in work tasks in order to promote recovery. Using these insights, management of employees suffering from depressive complaints may be improved. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.
Subject
Healthy for Life
Workplace
Healthy Living
Arbeidsparticipatie
Veilig en Gezond Werken
Occupational mental health
Occupational rehabilitation
Sickness absence
absenteeism
adult
aged
article
cohort analysis
controlled study
depression
disability
disease course
education
employee
employer
female
follow up
human
interview
longitudinal study
male
mental disease
mental health
prediction
priority journal
questionnaire
screening
standardization
symptomatology
work resumption
world health organization
Adult
Aged
Cohort Studies
Depressive Disorder
Female
Forecasting
Health Surveys
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Health Services
Personnel Management
Questionnaires
Sex Factors
Sick Leave
Workload
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqn043
TNO identifier
240827
ISSN
0962-7480
Source
Occupational Medicine, 58 (4), 295-301
Document type
article