Work after mental-health-related absence: a qualitative study of perceived change after a combination of metacognitive therapy and work-focused interventions

BMC Public Health

Research

Fay Giæver¹  Bente Marianne Aschim²  Hilde Dallavara Lending²  Bente Bull-Hansen²  Marit Hannisdal²  Marianne Tranberg Bjørndal³  Odin Hjemdal³  Ragne Gunnarsdatter Hole Gjengedal³ 

[1] Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway;Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Postboks 23 Vinderen, NO-0319, Oslo, Norway;Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Postboks 23 Vinderen, NO-0319, Oslo, Norway;Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway;

关键词: Return to work;    Sick leave;    Common mental health disorders;    Qualitative study;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-022-14378-0

 received in 2022-05-23, accepted in 2022-10-10,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSick leave caused by common mental health disorders (CMD) is becoming more prevalent. For most people, work is essential for good mental and physical health. It is necessary to provide treatments that facilitate return to work (RTW) and a reduction of symptoms. A qualitative study can contribute to an understanding of what makes an intervention successful. The aim of this study was to investigate how individuals who are on sick leave because of CMD perceive and handle their symptoms and their work, after completing metacognitive therapy and work-focused interventions.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants after they had completed therapy. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThrough both therapy and the process of RTW, the participants had gained increased awareness and understanding of their mental health problems and the relationship between those problems and work. Together with the sense that they were in charge of their own process of RTW, this helped to improve their self-confidence. An important part of the process was the change to new strategies and the rejection of older maladaptive ones, in relation to both mental health and work. Being open about their mental illness in the workplace could lead to support but also to the opposite, and therefore not an option for everyone. After treatment, most had returned to work and gained a more positive outlook on the future, but some had less confidence in their ability to deal with future symptoms and workplace issues.ConclusionsAchieving improved self-confidence and adopting new strategies, which enabled them to change how they related to their mental problems and how they addressed their problems at work, seemed to have increased their self-efficacy. Active involvement in therapy and at work was also important, both for the process and as a way of increasing self-efficacy. This gave them renewed belief in themselves and in their ability to handle their work at present and in the future. Despite this being a manualized treatment, the participants’ experience was that it was adapted to each individual, something they regarded as important.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2022