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. 2024 Aug;34(2):71-82.
doi: 10.1177/10482911241254836. Epub 2024 May 20.

Workplace Injury Compensation and Mental Health and Self-Harm Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Sanya Wadhwa  1 , Yamna Taouk  1 , Matthew J Spittal  2 , Tania King  1
Affiliations

Workplace Injury Compensation and Mental Health and Self-Harm Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Sanya Wadhwa et al. New Solut. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Workers' compensation systems aim to financially support injured workers. However, seeking compensation often leads to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. This review examines previous studies to investigate the relationship between workers' compensation and mental health and self-harm outcomes. A three-tiered search strategy across five databases identified studies that examined workers' compensation claims as an exposure or risk factor, with outcomes related to mental health, self-harm and suicidality. Nine full-text studies were included; however, heterogeneity limited generalizability. Most studies supported an association between pursuing compensation and poorer mental health and self-harm outcomes. Some studies attributed this to specific aspects of the system such as justice perception and navigation of the claims system. Findings suggest an association between workers' compensation and mental health or self-harm outcomes. Inconclusive findings highlight the need for further research. Understanding the psychiatric impacts of pursuing compensation is crucial to help formulate a more accessible compensation system.

Keywords: mental health; occupational injury; self-harm; suicidality; workers compensation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flow diagram. PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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