Research Plus

Recurrent sickness absence due to depression

Work-related stress is a significant risk factor for recurrent sickness absence due to depression, according to this longitudinal cohort study at a major Japanese telecommunications company. The study followed 540 employees (84% male) who had been off sick for the first time with depression. Cases were followed up from their return-to-work until the date of a recurrent depression-related absence (maximum two-year follow-up). Two hundred employees (37%) had a recurrent absence due to depression. High psychological job demands, as measured on the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, were significantly predictive of recurrent absence (OR = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.10). Low job control was not predictive of recurrent absence. 

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 2015; 88: 75–83. 10.1007/s00420-014-0939-4

Tags depression Return to work sickness absence

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2015 (vol. 11/6) pp47