Research Plus

Predictors of mental health absence

For workers who take sickness absence due to minor mental health problems, factors predictive of not returning to work are long duration (more than three months) of health problems before the sick leave, at least three weeks’ absence before seeking help, severity of symptoms (somatisation, anxiety and depression) and the individual’s own prediction of return. Thirty-eight per cent of individuals had returned to work after three months and 61% after six months. Interventions should be targeted at those with long-standing health problems before the onset of absence.

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2009; online first: doi 10.1007/s10926–009–9198–8. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10926-009-9198-8

Tags absence evidence based practice mental health Return to work sickness absence

Occupational Health at Work October/November 2009 (vol. 06/3) pp39