Recurring pain, mental health problems and sick leave in Australia

The study aimed to determine whether the incidence and duration of certified sick leave (CSL) among nurses had increased during major restructuring of the health care system in the province of Québec, and to determine whether nurses exposed to adverse psychosocial factors at work showed an increased incidence of CSL. It involved nurses working in 13 health facilities. Sickness absence data were retrieved from administrative files (n = 1454). Incidence of CSL for all diagnoses and for mental health problems was examined. Telephone interviews were conducted to measure psychosocial factors at work with validated instruments. There was an increase in CSL among nurses during the restructuring, particularly for mental health problems. Modifiable adverse psychosocial work factors were identified and provide basis for interventions. Since human resources are the mainstay and primary resource of the health network, it is essential that people be able to perform their work under optimal conditions.

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Mental health problems as a cause of long-term sick leave in the Norwegian workforce

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/14034948010290030301 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 175-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Pal Nystuen ◽

Kare B. Hagen ◽

Jeph Herrin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Assessing measurement equivalence of the Danish and Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire using differential item and test functioning analysis

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494820942074 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 140349482094207

Author(s):

Berend Terluin ◽

Andreas Hoff ◽

Lene Falgaard Eplov

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Effect Size ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Measurement Equivalence ◽

Study Groups ◽

Health Problems ◽

Symptom Questionnaire ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Essential Unidimensionality

Aims: The Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) measures distress, depression, anxiety and somatisation, facilitating the distinction between stress-related problems and psychiatric disorder in primary and occupational health care. The aim of the study was to examine the measurement equivalence across the Danish and Dutch 4DSQ. Methods: Danish 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Danish citizens on sick leave for mental-health problems. Dutch 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Dutch employees on sick leave and a cohort of general practice attenders suspected of having mental-health problems. The study samples were matched on age and sex. The 4DSQ scales were assessed for essential unidimensionality using confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement equivalence of the 4DSQ across the groups was assessed using differential item and test functioning (DIF and DTF) analysis. Results: The study groups each consisted of 1363 people (63% female, Mage=42 years). The 4DSQ scales proved essentially unidimensional. DIF was detected in 20 items. In terms of Cohen’s effect size, DIF was mostly small or moderate. In terms of effect size, the mean effect on the scale score (DTF) was negligible. Nevertheless, it is recommended to adjust some of the cut-off points for two Danish 4DSQ scales to retain the meaning of these cut-off points in Dutch respondents. Conclusions: The Danish version of the 4DSQ measures the same constructs as the original Dutch questionnaire. Twenty items functioned differently in Danish respondents than in Dutch respondents, but this had only a small impact on the scale scores.

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Identifying return to work trajectories among employees on sick leave due to mental health problems using latent class transition analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e032016

Author(s):

Maitta Spronken ◽

Evelien P M Brouwers ◽

Jeroen K Vermunt ◽

Iris Arends ◽

Wido G M Oerlemans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Return To Work ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Latent Class ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Large Individual ◽

Work Characteristics ◽

Transition Analysis

ObjectivesTo develop effective return to work (RTW) interventions for employees on sick leave due to mental health problems (MHPs), a better understanding of individual variation in the RTW process is needed. We investigated which RTW trajectories can be identified among employees with MHPs in terms of RTW duration and relapse occurrence during the RTW process. Additionally, we examined how different RTW trajectories can be described in terms of personal and work characteristics.MethodsLongitudinal sickness absence registry data were collected retrospectively from the largest Dutch occupational health service. Quantitative RTW information as well as personal and work characteristics were extracted. In total, 9517 employees with a sickness absence due to MHPs were included in the analyses (62 938 data points; RTW durations from 29 to 730 days).ResultsA latent class transition analysis revealed five distinct RTW trajectories, namely (1) fast RTW with little chance of relapse, (2) slow RTW with little chance of relapse, (3) fast RTW with considerable chance of relapse, (4) slow RTW with considerable chance of relapse and (5) very fast RTW with very small chance of relapse. Differences between employees in the slower and faster trajectories were observed regarding gender, age, type of MHP, organisation sector and organisation size but not regarding part-time work.ConclusionsRTW trajectories among employees with MHPs showed large individual variability and differed on personal and work characteristics. Knowledge on different RTW trajectories and their characteristics contributes to the development of personalised RTW treatments, tailored to specific individuals and organisations.

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Mental health problems as a cause of long-term sick leave in the Norwegian workforce

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1080/140349401316983581 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 175-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Pål Nystuen, Kåre B. Hagen, Jep

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems

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Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17103379 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (10) ◽

pp. 3379

Author(s):

Annika Lexén ◽

Ida Kåhlin ◽

Lena-Karin Erlandsson ◽

Carita Håkansson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Health Problems ◽

Job Turnover ◽

Web Survey ◽

Turnover Rates ◽

Work Related

The Swedish public sector is facing great challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, due to increasing sick leave numbers. The aim of this study was to describe Swedish occupational therapists’ occupational health in terms of risk factors in the social and organizational work environment, occupational balance, and work-related mental health problems. A web survey was emailed to all working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists (n = 7600) and 3658 answered the survey. The web survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social and organizational environment, occupational balance, and work-related health. The occupational therapists in general rated their workload as high, which was described as leading to increased stress, difficulties doing a good job, and increased job turnover. They also reported having difficulties maintaining occupational balance. Almost a fifth reported having symptoms related to mild incipient exhaustion or a pronounced exhaustion disorder. Almost 60 percent reported having, during the last year, seriously considered seeking new employment as an occupational therapist and 35 percent had seriously intended to leave their profession. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to improve the work situation of occupational therapists. If not, increases in mental health problems, sick leave and job turnover rates may seriously jeopardize the welfare system by eroding healthcare.

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Enhancing credibility:

Nordic Journal of Social Research ◽

10.7577/njsr.4051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 181-200

Author(s):

Ulla Rantakeisu ◽

Lena Ede

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Western World ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Grounded Theory Method ◽

Part Time ◽

To Come

In the Western world mental health problems are increasing and in Sweden these problems are the most common reason for sick leave. Diagnoses of adjustment disorders and reactions to severe stress are increasing the fastest out of all mental health problems. The aim of this study is to contribute new insights into employees’ experiences and management of being on sick leave with a stress-related psychiatric diagnosis. The empirical material consisted of individual interviews with 26 employees who were on sick leave from at least part-time employment because of a stress-related diagnosis. The grounded theory method was used to analyse the results. In the generated model, we propose that sick-listed employees engage in enhancing credibility in relation to themselves and others, here attempting to come across as credible and, thus, avoiding disbelief and the negative attributions of being on sick leave with a psychiatric diagnosis. The interviewees shared the general concern that being perceived as either healthier or sicker than the case may be, as well as greater sensitivity to what others might think, which was manifested as being on guard and controlling their behaviour and emotional display. To return to work, the sick-listed employees tended to re-evaluate their previous performance at work and saw the illness as self-inflicted and as the result of not having been capable of drawing the line between work and leisure.

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