Employment characteristics, work environment, and the course of depression over 23 years: Does employment help foster resilience?

Abstract

Background Depression is the leading cause of disability and represents a significant challenge to stable employment and professional success. Importantly, employment may also operate as a protective factor against more chronic courses of depression as it can function as a form of behavioral activation and scaffold recovery by facilitating community integration. The current study examined work-related characteristics as protective or risk factors for subsequent long-term depression trajectories. Methods Relations between employment characteristics and lifetime course of depression were examined among 424 adults in the community who entered treatment for depression. The sample was followed for 23 years with assessments at 1, 4, 10, and 23 years post-baseline. At baseline, participants were asked about employment history and status along with work-related events and aspects of their work environments. Depression was measured at each assessment, and 3 different life course trajectories of depression were identified. Results Employment at baseline was associated with lower levels of depression at baseline and less severe life courses of depression. Among employed participants, higher occupational prestige, a more supportive work environment (greater involvement, cohesion, perceived support), and lower work stress (less pressure and more control, role clarity, and autonomy) may protect against more severe, intractable depression over time and may have bolstered functioning. Conclusions Findings have potential to be harnessed for clinical translation to better inform vocational rehabilitation counseling and human resources programs. Specifically, clinician assessment of work setting can guide patient decision making about how to reduce vulnerability to depression and foster resilience via employment.

Predictors of mental health and well‐being in employed adults with autism spectrum disorder at 12‐month follow‐up

“…Within the general population, being employed has consistently been linked to better mental health and wellbeing [Backhans & Hemmingsson, 2012;Creed & Macintyre, 2001;Feather & O'Brien, 1986;Heinz et al, 2018;McKee-Ryan et al, 2005;Murphy & Athanasou, 1999;Paul & Moser, 2009;Voßemer et al, 2018;Wanberg, 2012], with greater benefits associated with higher levels of job satisfaction [Faragher et al, 2005]. As longterm outcomes in terms of mental health and well-being in employed adults with ASD is poorly understood, we monitored changes in mental health and well-being over time in newly employed adults with ASD, a population rarely represented in previous research.…”

“…In adults with ASD, social support has been identified as a protective factor against depression and suicidal ideation [Hedley, Uljarević, Foley, et al, ; Hedley, Uljarević, Wilmot, Richdale, & Dissanayake, ], and is a significant predictor of state and trait anxiety [Harkry, ]. In non‐ASD populations, social support has been shown to predict life satisfaction [Strizović & Mratinković, ] and positive well‐being [Wilhelm et al, ], improves long‐term depression trajectories [Heinz et al, ], and provides a protective effect during crisis [Henderson, ]. In adults with physical disabilities, perceived quality of social support is associated with depression and anxiety (negatively) and positive well‐being (positively) [Tough, Siegrist, & Fekete, ].…”

“…Employment represents a milestone in human development, providing opportunities to expand social networks, develop financial independence, and to give life meaning. The association between employment and better mental health and well-being outcomes is well established in the general population [Backhans & Hemmingsson, 2012;Creed & Macintyre, 2001;Feather & O'Brien, 1986;Heinz et al, 2018;Helliwell & Huang, 2014;McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg, & Kinicki, 2005;Murphy & Athanasou, 1999;Paul & Moser, 2009;Voßemer et al, 2018;Wanberg, 2012;Wulfgramm, 2014], with meaningful employment identified as a protective factor against depression and other forms of psychological distress [van der Noordt, IJzelenberg, Droomers, & Proper, 2014]. However, employment may not be associated with improved mental health outcomes in people with ASD.…”

Investigating the Relationship between Professional Status and Professional Commitment of Nurses

“…The results of a study in the United States showed that working in an environment where professional status is high reduces depression and job stress [23]. Studies in Iran have shown that ignoring the professional status and social reputation of nurses is the cause of about 70% of their job dissatisfaction and unprofessional performance [18,20].…”

Occupational Prestige from the Nurses Point of View

“…In a study, people while self-assessing their health, showed that the better their occupational prestige, the better their health scores [8]. Also, research results in California showed that working in an environment full with a sufficiently occupational prestige would reduce depression and job stress [9]. Other studies in Iran have also shown that neglecting the occupational prestige and social status of nurses causes about 70% of job dissatisfaction and, consequently, their unprofessionally performance [2,3].…”