Return to Work After Long-Term Sick Leave: Stories of Employed Women With Common Mental Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Wall ◽  
John Selander
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Collective Narratives ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Female Employees ◽  
Absence From Work ◽  
Open Question

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of female employees on long-term sickness absence due to common mental disorders (CMDs), in relation to what they perceive would best help them to return to work. Data were collected through a survey answered by employees at a municipality in Sweden on long-term sick leave. Results of the current study are based on a part of that material, namely from 56 women with CMDs who responded to the final open question. The analysis involves two steps. Initially, we explored themes that form the accounts in the findings. Secondly, based on the themes, collective narratives, storylines were identified. Three different storylines were found to be prominent in the findings. The storylines describe how the participants collectively expressed themselves in relation to the possibilities for return to work, and the following storylines were derived:It feels like too much, Things are moving too fast,andI have to get out of here!. The findings are related to perceived demands, control and support. From a disability management perspective, we have learned the importance of restoring the balance between demands, control and support — not only to prevent absence from work, but also to facilitate return to work after a period of long-term sickness.

scholarly journals Undetected Common Mental Disorders in Long-Term Sickness Absence

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Joergen Soegaard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Somatoform Disorder ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Two Phase

Background. Undetected Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) amongst people on sick leave complicate rehabilitation and return to work because appropriate treatments are not initiated. Aims. The aim of this study is to estimate (1) the frequencies of CMD, (2) the predictors of undetected CMD, and (3) the rate of return to work among sick listed individuals without a psychiatric disorder, who are registered on long-term sickness absence (LSA). Methods. A total of 2,414 incident individuals on LSA with a response rate of 46.4%, were identified for a two-phase study. The subsample of this study involved individuals registered on LSA who were sick-listed without a psychiatric sick leave diagnosis. In this respect, Phase 1 included 831 individuals, who were screened for mental disorders. In Phase 2, following the screening of Phase 1, 227 individuals were thoroughly examined by a psychiatrist applying Present State Examination. The analyses of the study were carried out based on the 227 individuals from Phase 2 and, subsequently, weighted to be representative of the 831 individuals in Phase 1. Results. The frequencies of undetected mental disorders among all sick-listed individuals were for any psychiatric diagnosis 21%, depression 14%, anxiety 4%, and somatoform disorder 6%. Conclusions. Undetected CMD may delay the initiation of appropriate treatment and complicate the rehabilitation and return to work.

scholarly journals Exploring the return-to-work process for workers partially returned to work and partially on long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders: a qualitative study

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (17-18) ◽  
pp. 1625-1635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Noordik ◽  
Karen Nieuwenhuijsen ◽  
Inge Varekamp ◽  
Jac J. van der Klink ◽  
Frank J. van Dijk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Work Process

scholarly journals Beliefs About Return to Work Among Women During/After Long-Term Sick Leave for Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Hedlund ◽  
Eva Boman ◽  
Marja-Leena Kristofferzon ◽  
Annika Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
New Findings

Abstract Purpose Long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs) is an increasing problem, especially among women. To help these women return to work (RTW) sustainably, we need to know more about their own beliefs about RTW. One applicable theory is the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Thus, the present study aimed to describe, based on the TPB, women's beliefs about RTW during or after long-term sick leave for a CMD. Methods A qualitative approach was used. Twenty women were included during a long-term sick leave period due to a CMD. A deductive content analysis was conducted using predetermined factors from the TPB: behavioural beliefs (advantages–disadvantages of RTW), normative beliefs (supporters and non-supporters of RTW), and control beliefs (facilitators of—barriers to RTW). Results The women believed that RTW would give them meaning and balance in life, but also that it would be challenging to maintain balance after RTW. They believed they had several supporters of RTW, but that the support was sometimes perceived as stressful rather than encouraging. Furthermore, individual adaptation and high demands were the most mentioned facilitator and barrier, respectively. Workplace conditions and personal strategies were thought to be important aspects. Conclusions By using the TPB, the present study was able to offer new findings on women’s beliefs about RTW after long-term sick leave for a CMD. Based on the findings, we suggest that various RTW stakeholders should focus on striving to provide the tasks and work pace women need so they can maintain their professional competence and sense of meaning.

scholarly journals Early and Late Return to Work After Sick Leave: Predictors in a Cohort of Sick-Listed Individuals with Common Mental Disorders

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin Ekberg ◽  
Charlotte Wåhlin ◽  
Jan Persson ◽  
Lars Bernfort ◽  
Birgitta Öberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Common Mental Disorders

scholarly journals Return to Work after Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Expectations of the Involved Stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6635
Author(s):  
Jessica Scharf ◽  
Peter Angerer ◽  
Gesine Müting ◽  
Adrian Loerbroks
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Occupational Physicians ◽  
Return Process

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are risk factors for long-term sickness absence and unemployment. Therefore, return-to-work (RTW) processes have been introduced to facilitate the return of employees. As the success of RTW processes is considered to be determined by the cooperativeness of the involved stakeholders, we aimed to investigate the views of those stakeholders to disclose potentially diverging expectations. Qualitative interviews were conducted (08/2018-04/2019) among five stakeholder groups: returnees with a diagnosed CMD who were eligible for a RTW process; health care professionals nominated by the returnees; supervisors, colleagues and occupational physicians (the latter three groups were not nominated by the returnees). In total, 24 returnees, 13 health care professionals, 13 occupational physicians, 9 supervisors and 9 colleagues were interviewed (68 interviews in total). Potentially diverging expectations of the stakeholders related to whether diagnoses need to be disclosed by returnees. Agreement existed in terms of the need for a trustful relationship between employees and occupational physicians to initiate a RTW process early. As the understanding of all stakeholders’ viewpoints is one of the main factors promoting a successful RTW, we explored the expectations of those involved in the RTW process. One implication of our findings is to strengthen the role of occupational physicians, who could coordinate the return process.

scholarly journals Beyond Return to Work: The Effect of Multimorbidity on Work Functioning Trajectories After Sick Leave due to Common Mental Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ubalde-Lopez ◽  
I. Arends ◽  
J. Almansa ◽  
G. L. Delclos ◽  
D. Gimeno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Work Functioning
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