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. 2022 Nov;30(6):e5245-e5258.
doi: 10.1111/hsc.13943. Epub 2022 Jul 27.

Predictors of return to work and psychological well-being among women during/after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders - a prospective cohort study based on the theory of planned behaviour

Åsa Hedlund  1 , Annika Nilsson  1 , Eva Boman  2 , Marja-Leena Kristofferzon  1
Affiliations

Predictors of return to work and psychological well-being among women during/after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders - a prospective cohort study based on the theory of planned behaviour

Åsa Hedlund et al. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Common mental disorders are associated with long-term sick leave, especially among women. There is a lack of theory-based research regarding the impact of personal factors on return to work and psychological well-being. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether return-to-work beliefs and perceived health were predictors of return to work and psychological well-being among women during or after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. This was a prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up. At baseline, women (n = 282) had been on full- or part-time sick leave for common mental disorders for 2-24 months. Data were collected in October 2019-January 2020 and October 2020-January 2021 in Sweden. The Social Insurance Agency identified the women at baseline. The Return-To-Work Beliefs Questionnaire, EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale and General Health Questionnaire-12 were used. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted. The women were divided into two groups: full-time sick leave or part-time sick leave at baseline. The results showed that stronger return-to-work intention significantly predicted return to work among women on full-time sick leave at baseline. No significant predictors of return to work were found among women on part-time sick leave at baseline. Psychological well-being was predicted by stronger social pressure to return to work (full-time group) and a more positive attitude toward returning to work and better perceived health (part-time group). We concluded that the Theory of Planned Behaviour can be useful for understanding return to work among women on full-time sick leave, and what underlies psychological well-being in both groups. However, return to work and psychological well-being were predicted by different factors, indicating that a multifactorial approach should be used in supporting women to return to work after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders.

Keywords: common mental disorders; psychological well-being; return to work; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The theory of planned behaviour (TPB), inspired by Icek Ajzen (1991).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Illustration of hypothesis 1. RTW = return to work. 1. Having begun working or increased the percentage of work.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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