Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Sep;35(3):435-449.
doi: 10.1007/s10926-024-10224-9. Epub 2024 Jul 10.

Factors Related to the Recurrence of Sickness Absence Due to Common Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review

Lydia In't Hout  1   2 , Suzanne G M van Hees  3   4 , Emma Vossen  4 , Shirley Oomens  4   5 , Dike van de Mheen  3 , Roland W B Blonk  3   6   7
Affiliations

Factors Related to the Recurrence of Sickness Absence Due to Common Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review

Lydia In't Hout et al. J Occup Rehabil. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: Employees who experience sickness absence (SA) due to common mental disorders (CMD) are at increased risk of recurrent sickness absence (RSA). This systematic literature review examines the factors at different levels in the work and non-work context that increase or decrease the likelihood of RSA due to CMD. The resulting knowledge enables more accurate identification of employees at risk of RSA.

Methods: We conducted a search in June 2023 using the following databases: PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (Cinahl), Embase and Business Source Ultimate (BSU). Inclusion criteria were as follows: (self-)employees, CMD, related factors, RSA. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The Individual, Group, Leader, Organisation and Overarching/social context (IGLOO) model were used to cluster the found factors and these factors were graded by evidence grading.

Results: Nineteen quantitative and one qualitative studies of mainly high and some moderate quality were included in this review. A total of 78 factors were found. These factors were grouped according to the IGLOO levels and merged in 17 key factors. After evidence grading, we found that mainly low socioeconomic status (SES) and the type of previous SA (short-term SA and SA due to CMD) are predictors of an increased risk of RSA.

Conclusions: Having a low SES and previous experience of SA (short term, or due to CMD) are factors that predict the chance of RSA, implying the need for prolonged support from occupational health professionals after the employee has returned to work.

Keywords: Common mental disorders; Occupational health; Prognostic factors; Recurrent sickness absence; Systematic review.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of literature search results and inclusion/exclusion
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Arends I. Fit Mind, Fit job: from evidence to practice in mental health and work. Fit Mind, Fit Job: From Evidence to Practice in Mental Health and Work. OECD/ODCE; 2015.
    1. Aarestad SH, Harris A, Einarsen SV, Gjengedal RG, Osnes K, Hannisdal M, et al. Exposure to bullying behaviours, resilience, and return to work self-efficacy in patients on or at risk of sick leave. Ind Health. 2021;59(3):180–192. 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0064. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Corbière M, Charette-Dussault É, Larivière N. Recognition during the return-to-work process in workers with common mental disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2023;33(3):486–505. 10.1007/s10926-022-10087-y. - PubMed
    1. Koopmans PC, Roelen CA, Groothoff JW. Risk of future sickness absence in frequent and long-term absentees. Occup Med. 2008;58(4):268–274. 10.1093/occmed/kqn040. - PubMed
    1. Joyce S, Modini M, Christensen H, Mykletun A, Bryant R, Mitchell PB, et al. Workplace interventions for common mental disorders: a systematic meta-review. Psychol Med. 2016;46(4):683–697. 10.1017/S0033291715002408. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources