scholarly journals Do return to work interventions for workers with disabilities and health conditions achieve employment outcomes and are they cost effective? A systematic narrative review

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Dibben ◽  
Geoffrey Wood ◽  
Rachel O’Hara
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Musculoskeletal Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Lower Back

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate existing evidence on whether return to work interventions achieve employment outcomes and are cost effective in order to better inform those needing accommodations at work, as well as their line managers and trade union representatives, occupational health specialists and HR managers. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a systematic narrative review to evaluate the evidence on the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of return to work initiatives. Findings Evidence on interventions for musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back pain indicates that certain forms of intervention such as vocational rehabilitation and workplace-based rehabilitation facilitate outcomes such as employment, reduced sick leave and effective return to work. However, there is very little evidence on whether these interventions are cost effective. More generally there are glaring gaps in evidence on cardio-respiratory (heart and breathing) and mental health conditions with regard to both employment outcomes and the cost of interventions. Research limitations/implications This systematic review has critical and timely implications for both knowledge development and practice. While highlighting methodological limitations in the existing research base, it also presents avenues for further research on return work strategies and the factors inhibiting and facilitating their adoption and effective operation. Originality/value Although there is much existent literature on the return to work process, far less attention has been paid to the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of interventions. This paper highlights the interventions for musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back conditions that may result in positive employment outcomes, with implications for practice. However, it also highlights gaps in evidence on the employment outcomes and cost effectiveness of interventions for cardio-respiratory (heart and breathing) and mental health conditions.

scholarly journals Characteristics of self-reported daily life note (LN) users in return-to-work judgment for workers on sick leave due to mental health conditions, and usefulness of the tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
Akira KUSUMOTO ◽  
Shigeyuki KAJIKI ◽  
Yoshihisa FUJINO ◽  
Katsuyuki NAMBA ◽  
Tomohisa NAGATA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

PTSD, panic disorder and alcohol use disorder as a triple threat for violence among male jail detainees

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexa J. Barrett ◽  
Stephanie L. Taylor ◽  
Albert M. Kopak ◽  
Norman G. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Jail Detainees ◽  
Violent Offenses

Purpose Despite ranking among the most prevalent mental health conditions and their likely contributions to violent offending, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have not been examined closely among adult males detained in rural jails. The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of co-occurring PTSD, PD and AUD within this population and identify their associations with violent offenses. Design/methodology/approach The sample consists of 349 males recently booked into local jails. The Comprehensive Addictions and Psychological Evaluation – 5 was administered to assess mental health conditions. Bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine associations between PTSD, PD, AUD and violent offenses. Findings A disproportionate number of participants met criteria for PTSD, PD and AUD. Co-occurrence was prevalent among detainees booked for violent offenses with 25% reporting symptoms of all three disorders. PD emerged as the strongest single condition associated with violence, while the combination of PTSD, PD and AUD significantly increased the likelihood of violent offenses. Practical implications A better understanding of the relationship between mental health conditions and violent offenses is essential for efficacious assessment and treatment. Appropriately informed mental health care for jail detainees can increase public safety and guide practices for addressing these conditions within criminal justice populations. Originality/value There is limited research on mental health within the rural jail detainee population. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the association between PTSD, PD, AUD and violent offenses drawn from local detention centers.

scholarly journals Nigerian cultural beliefs about mental health conditions and traditional healing: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dung Ezekiel Jidong ◽  
Di Bailey ◽  
Tholene Sodi ◽  
Linda Gibson ◽  
Natéwindé Sawadogo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Traditional Healing ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Purpose This study aims to explore how cultural beliefs and traditions are integral to understanding indigenous mental health conditions (MHCs) and traditional healing (TH). However, Nigerian cultural beliefs about MHCs and TH are under-researched. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative design using critical realist and social constructionist perspectives to explore Nigerian mental health-care practitioners (MHCPs) and lay participants’ (LPs) views regarding MHCs and TH. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 53 participants (MHCPs = 26; LPs = 27; male = 32; female = 21) in four Nigerian cities (Ado-Ekiti, Enugu, Jos and Zaria). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic analyses. Findings The data sets revealed three overarching themes, namely, existing cultural beliefs about MHCs as spiritual curse; description of TH as the first treatment modality for MHCs; and perceived stigma associated with MHCs and help-seeking behaviours. Originality/value A study on Nigerian cultural beliefs and TH contributes meaningfully to mental health systems. Future research and policy initiatives could explore ways of optimising TH practices and community awareness programmes to increase access to mental health care in Nigeria.

Review shows back-to-work interventions help for back pain, but authors demand more research into mental health and cardio-respiratory problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Academic Review ◽  
The Cost

Purpose An academic review assessed the evidence for various interventions in helping people with disabilities and health conditions return to work. Design/methodology/approach The authors sifted through academic research, searching for answers to the following two questions: 1. “What is the available evidence on effective interventions in terms of employment outcomes and cost effectiveness?” 2. “Are there gaps in evidence with regard to the effectiveness of interventions for certain conditions?” Findings There is some evidence that interventions for workers with disabilities and health conditions can produce better outcomes at work, but there are huge gaps in the research data. Most studies focus on lower back pain and more research is needed into cardio-respiratory conditions and mental health. There is also a lack of research into the cost-effectiveness of various interventions. Originality/value This study highlights not only the effectiveness of some approaches but also the gaps in the research which need to be plugged to better inform policies.

Hiding but hoping to be found: workplace disclosure dilemmas of individuals with hidden disabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukta Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Personal Privacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Workplace Interactions ◽  
Hidden Disabilities

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe workplace disclosure dilemmas of individuals with hidden mental health conditions who have privately accepted their mental health condition (anxiety and/or depression), but have chosen not to disclose it in their respective workplaces.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 15 individuals who experience anxiety and/or depression. These individuals work across diverse organizations and sectors in India (e.g. architecture and health care). Data were analyzed using qualitative methods.FindingsInterviewees grappled with three dilemmas: professionalism versus authenticity (i.e. bringing only a partial professional self or the whole self to work), withdrawal versus participation (i.e. withdrawal from workplace interactions to conceal their condition or participation such that people could know of it) and personal privacy versus general advocacy (i.e. guarding one's privacy or engaging in advocacy for individuals who experience mental health conditions). Overall, findings suggest that the disclosure dilemma can stem from both one's internalized sense of a devalued self and by perceived contextual cues.Research limitations/implicationsFindings imply that perceived contextual conditions that amplify threat of discovery and its anticipated consequences can lead to and reinforce the disclosure dilemma. As individuals internalize others' constructions of themselves, they self-police and do not interrogate assumed normality within their social contexts.Practical implicationsEmployers can create inclusive environments. Present findings suggest some examples of inclusive practices such as the employment of dedicated resident counselors or counselors shared across organizations, training of stakeholders (including human resource personnel), allowing for selective disclosure (e.g. only to medical personnel) and cultivating informal support networks comprising similar others.Originality/valueSuch evidence-based research that can inform practices of inclusion for persons with a disability is especially important, considering that research on mental health conditions is conspicuous by its relative absence in mainstream management journals.

Forecasting mental health and emotions based on social media expressions during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonela Tommasel ◽  
Andrés Diaz-Pace ◽  
Juan Manuel Rodriguez ◽  
Daniela Godoy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Build Time ◽  
Communication Policies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an approach for forecasting mental health conditions and emotions of a given population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina based on social media contents. Design/methodology/approach Mental health conditions and emotions are captured via markers, which link social media contents with lexicons. First, the authors build time series models that describe the evolution of markers and their correlation with crisis events. Second, the authors use the time series for forecasting markers and identifying high prevalence points for the estimated markers. Findings The authors evaluated different forecasting strategies that yielded different performance and capabilities. In the best scenario, high prevalence periods of emotions and mental health issues can be satisfactorily predicted with a neural network strategy, even at early stages of a crisis (e.g. a training period of seven days). Practical implications This work contributes to a better understanding of how psychological processes related to crises manifest in social media, and this is a valuable asset for the design, implementation and monitoring of health prevention and communication policies. Originality/value Although there have been previous efforts to predict mental states of individuals, the analysis of mental health at the collective level has received scarce attention. The authors take a step forward by proposing a forecasting approach for analyzing the mental health of a given population at a larger scale.

Care for Mental Health Conditions in Jamaica: The Case for Investment. Evaluating the Return on Investment of Scaling Up Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, and Psychosis

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Mental health is critical to personal well-being, interpersonal relationships, and successful contributions to society. Mental health conditions consequently impose a high burden not only on individuals, families and society, but also on economies. In Jamaica, mental health conditions are highly prevalent and major contributors to morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. Encouragingly, with timely and effective treatment, individuals suffering from mental health conditions can lead productive and satisfying lives. This publication, the first of its kind, provides evidence and guidance to support the development, financing, and implementation of mental health interventions in Jamaica. Specifically, it estimates the return on investment (ROI) from scaling up treatment for anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The results from this analysis show that Jamaica can significantly reduce the health and economic burden of mental health conditions by investing in cost-effective recommended interventions designed to improve mental health.

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