Association of Returning to Work With Better Health in Working-Aged Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Beneficial health effects of returning to work have been documented in a variety of populations, times, and settings. Return-to-work programs may improve not only financial situations but also health.

Disability pension due to musculoskeletal diagnoses: importance of work-related factors in a prospective cohort study of Finnish twins

“…In previous studies, unemployment has been a predictor for higher risk of DP due to rheumatoid arthritis (11), DP due to low-back diagnoses (15), and limited work capacity (28), but no such association was found for short-term unemployment and DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses (29). Our finding is pronounced as we used the selection criterion of being at work at baseline and despite the fact that criterion changes of workplace and unemployment prior to baseline in 1975 were significant factors for future DP.…”

Sustained Return to Work after Long-term Sick Leave Improves Work Ability and Quality of Life

“…However, in the few longitudinal studies available, results have not provided clear evidence on the benefits from returning to work on workers' health so far [8]. Methodological biases might explain at least part of these results.…”

On the promotion of human flourishing

“…Metaanalyses suggest that those who are employed have higher levels of life satisfaction and of family or marital satisfaction, and better mental and physical health (67,68). Longitudinal studies also indicate that reemployment of the unemployed results in improvement in life satisfaction, and in self-reported physical health and mental health, and further indicates that loss of a job results in reductions in mental health and in life satisfaction (67)(68)(69)(70)(71). Interventions to provide employment have been found, in randomized trials, to have effects on quality of life, better mental health, and fewer hospitalizations, even among those with severe mental health problems at baseline (72,73).…”