Are psychosocial work factors and work-home interference associated with time to first full return-to-work after sick leave due to common mental disorders?

Abstract

Objective To (1) examine the time to first full return-to-work (RTW), and (2) investigate whether psychosocial work factors and work-home interference are associated with time to first full RTW after sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs). Methods The cohort study comprised 162 employees on sick leave due to CMDs participating in a two-armed cluster-randomised controlled trial in Sweden. Baseline data consisted of a web-based questionnaire and follow-up data of repeated text messages every fourth week for 12 months. The time to first full RTW was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier Estimator. Parametric Weibull survival models with interval-censored outcomes were used to determine associations between psychosocial work factors and work-home interference with time to first full RTW. In a post hoc analysis, time-interval differences in associations for 0– ≤ 6- versus > 6–12 months were tested. Results During the 12-month follow-up, n = 131 (80.9%) reported a first full RTW. The median time to this RTW was 16 weeks (95% CI 12; 20). High psychological job demands, high emotional job demands, high work-to-home interference (WHI), and low social job support were independently associated with a longer time to first full RTW. Time-interval differences were found for job control and emotional job demands. Conclusions Psychosocial work demands and WHI are associated with a longer time to RTW after sick leave due to CMDs. Work organisations and rehabilitation practices should include accommodations for high psychological and emotional job demands during RTW, as well as pay attention to the risk of spill-over of high job demands into employees’ private lives.

Navigating work and life– a qualitative exploration of managers’ and employees’ views of return-to-work after sick leave due to common mental disorders

“…Multiple studies have emphasised the RTW process as a collaborative effort of stakeholders positioned within different systems and environments [ 4 , 5 ]. The workplace system plays a vital role in employee health [ 6 , 7 ] because both theory [ 8 , 9 ] and empirical research [ 10 – 12 ] suggest that high psychosocial job demands are associated with sick leave due to CMDs and a prolonged RTW. In addition, recent research has emphasised the importance of taking a broader perspective that considers everyday life, including work-home interference, to better understand sick leave [ 13 – 15 ] and the RTW process [ 10 , 16 ].…”

“…The workplace system plays a vital role in employee health [ 6 , 7 ] because both theory [ 8 , 9 ] and empirical research [ 10 – 12 ] suggest that high psychosocial job demands are associated with sick leave due to CMDs and a prolonged RTW. In addition, recent research has emphasised the importance of taking a broader perspective that considers everyday life, including work-home interference, to better understand sick leave [ 13 – 15 ] and the RTW process [ 10 , 16 ]. To ease RTW after a CMD, organisational and managerial elements should be considered in accommodating the employee [ 6 ].…”

“…Within social levels, good relationships with the manager, co-workers [ 16 , 22 , 23 ], family, and friends [ 16 , 22 ] are considered essential for successful RTW. However, the evidence for social support at work is still inconclusive [ 10 – 12 , 24 ]. On the organisational level, high psychological demands pose a primary barrier to RTW [ 10 – 12 ].…”

“…However, the evidence for social support at work is still inconclusive [ 10 – 12 , 24 ]. On the organisational level, high psychological demands pose a primary barrier to RTW [ 10 – 12 ]. Additionally, insufficient collaboration among actors in the RTW process and bureaucracy pose organisational and societal challenges for RTW [ 16 , 22 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Studies have shown that high work-to-home and home-to-work interference levels are associated with an increased risk of sick leave due to burnout and stress-related mental health issues for both men and women [ 14 , 15 ]. Recently, high levels of work-to-home interference have been linked to prolonged RTW [ 10 , 24 ].…”