Workplace bullying and common mental disorders: a follow-up study

Abstract Objective In this study, we examined exposure to workplace bullying as a predictor of registry-based benefit recipiency among workers struggling with work participation due to common mental disorders. Further, we examined if the experience of receiving social support moderated the association between workplace bullying and benefit recipiency. Design Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial. Patients People struggling with work participation due to common mental disorders (CMD). Methods Study participants (n = 1193) were from a randomized controlled trial (The At Work and Coping trial (AWaC), trial registration http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01146730), and self-reported CMD as a main obstacle for work participation. Participants were at risk of sickness absence, currently on sickness absence or on long-term benefits. Benefit recipiency indicated sickness absence and/or long-term benefits (i.e., disability pension) at 6-month follow-up. Results Of the 1193 participants, 36% reported exposure to workplace bullying. Workplace bullying was significantly associated with benefit recipiency at 6-month follow-up (OR 1.41, CI 1.11–1.79). Social support did not moderate the association between bullying and benefit recipiency. Conclusions The finding that workplace bullying increases the risk of later benefit recipiency suggest that bullying is a significant obstacle for work participation.

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Returning to work after sickness absence due to common mental disorders: study design and baseline findings from an 18 months mixed methods follow-up study in Germany

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7999-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Sikora ◽

Gundolf Schneider ◽

Ralf Stegmann ◽

Uta Wegewitz

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Quantitative Study ◽

Study Design ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Time Duration ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Returning To Work

Abstract Background With nearly 30 % of the general population experiencing one mental disorder in 12 months, common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent in Germany and mainly affect the workforce. Therefore, the processes of successfully returning to work (RTW) and achieving a sustainable RTW (SRTW) are important not only for recovery but the prevention of negative consequences like job loss or disability retirement. While factors influencing and predicting the time until RTW are well-investigated in other countries, research on determinants of RTW and SRTW has received little attention in Germany. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the RTW and SRTW processes due to CMDs from the employees´ perspective in Germany. Methods This prospective cohort study uses a convergent parallel mixed methods design with a quantitative sample and qualitative sub-sample. Two hundred eighty-six participants of the quantitative study and a sub-sample of 32 participants of the qualitative study were included. The primary outcome of the quantitative study is the time until RTW and full RTW. The secondary outcome is the sustainability of RTW. The following measures will be used to cover work-, RTW- and health-related factors: working time, duration of sickness absences, functional ability, work ability, RTW self-efficacy, social support, work-privacy conflict, job satisfaction, job crafting and depressive symptoms. Quantitative and qualitative data will be integrated at the end. Discussion The paper provides an overview on study design, recruitment, sample characteristics and baseline findings of an 18 months mixed methods follow-up study in Germany. This study will provide evidence of (S)RTW processes and its influencing factors due to CMDs in Germany and therefore contribute to further improvement of its (S)RTW practices. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (ID: DRKS00010903, July 28, 2017, retrospectively registered).

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