The role of empowerment and quality of life in depression severity among unemployed people with affective disorders receiving mental healthcare

Depression and loneliness among Sub-Saharan immigrants living in the greater Paris area: results from the MAKASI empowerment stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial

PURPOSE

The MAKASI intervention aimed to empower Sub-Saharan African immigrants living in precarious situations in the Paris metropolitan area. Because there are factors specifically related to immigration that may increase the risk for common mental disorders, the present study aimed to examine participants' levels of depression and loneliness and analyze the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness.

METHODS

The MAKASI study was designed as a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. Study participants were recruited through an outreach program led by a nongovernmental organization and randomly assigned to two clusters, with an intervention delay of 3 months between them. Participants were assessed for 6 months after inclusion and the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness was assessed using generalized linear mixed models. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 and took in consideration whether being interviewed during one of the Covid-19 confinement had an effect on the results.

RESULTS

Between 2018 and 2021 a total of 821 subjects participated in the Makasi study. High levels of depression and loneliness were found in the study population. We found no effect of the intervention on depression [95% CI 0.77 to 2.40]. Similarly, no effect of the intervention was found on loneliness [95% CI 0.87 to 2.54].

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention tested did not appear to improve the level of depression and loneliness among participants. However, the high prevalence of mental and emotional problems in the study population suggests a public health crisis among immigrants in the greater Paris area.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

 Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04468724 (July 13, 2020).

Cost-effectiveness of occupational therapy return-to-work interventions for people with mental health disorders: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Return-to-work (RTW) resources for persons with mental health disorders are limited and costs are typically shared by several stakeholders in society. Occupational therapists (OT) provide RTW interventions for this target group, however, increased knowledge of health, and employment effects, as well as costs are needed to better inform decision makers in their prioritisations.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

To identify and summarise evidence of cost-effectiveness of RTW interventions for persons with mental health disorders which OTs provide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search was applied and resulted in 358 articles. After screening, nine articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Quality assessment was conducted using the economic evaluation tool by Joanna Briggs Institute.

RESULTS

Supported employment, Individual Placement and Support was cost-effective in several contexts while three studies showed larger effects and higher costs. An OT intervention added to treatment for major depression was indicated to be cost-beneficial and an advanced supported employment was cost-saving. The methodological quality varied considerably between studies.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

The results of the included studies are promising, however, to further strengthen the economic perspective in OT RTW interventions, the need for conducting more and methodologically robust economic evaluations is crucial in future studies.

Occupational performance problems in people with depression and anxiety

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety often reduce people's ability to cope with everyday occupations. There is a lack of knowledge about such problems in people of working age with depression and anxiety.

AIM

To describe which problems people with depression or anxiety disorders experience when performing everyday occupations and which occupations are affected.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data based on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 118 participants aged 18-65 years, with depression or anxiety, were recruited from primary healthcare and general mental healthcare services. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and directed content analysis.

RESULTS

The participants rated a low level of occupational performance, and their satisfaction with performance even lower. They described a great number of problems with their everyday occupations. The most frequent problem areas concerned household management, socialization and personal care. Detailed descriptions of which type of problem they experienced during everyday occupations are included.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides knowledge of which problems people with depression and anxiety disorders experience in everyday occupations within self-care, productivity, as well as leisure. Furthermore, they rate performance and satisfaction with performance of the five occupations they find the most important to change in everyday life.

Co-design Process of a Digital Return-to-Work Solution for People With Common Mental Disorders: Stakeholder Perception Study

BACKGROUND

Service users and other stakeholders have had few opportunities to influence the design of their mental health and return-to-work services. Likewise, digital solutions often fail to align with stakeholders' needs and preferences, negatively impacting their utility. mWorks is a co-design initiative to create a digital return-to-work solution for persons with common mental disorders that is acceptable and engaging for those receiving and delivering the intervention.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe stakeholder perceptions and the involvement of a design process during the prototype development of mWorks.

METHODS

A co-design approach was used during the iterative development of mWorks. Overall, 86 stakeholders were recruited using a combination of purposeful and convenience sampling. Five stakeholder groups represented service users with experience of sick leave and common mental disorders (n=25), return-to-work professionals (n=19), employers (n=1), digital design and system developers (n=4), and members of the public (n=37). Multiple data sources were gathered using 7 iterations, from March 2018 to November 2020. The rich material was organized and analyzed using content analysis to generate themes and categories that represented this study's findings.

RESULTS

The themes revealed the importance of mWorks in empowering service users with a personal digital support solution that engages them back in work. The categories highlighted that mWorks needs to be a self-management tool that enables service users to self-manage as a supplement to traditional return-to-work services. It was also important that content features helped to reshape a positive self-narrative, with a focus on service users' strengths and resources to break the downward spiral of ill health during sick leave. Additional crucial features included helping service users mobilize their own strategies to cope with thoughts and feelings and formulate goals and a plan for their work return. Once testing of the alpha and beta prototypes began, user engagement became the main focus for greater usability. It is critical to facilitate the comprehension and purpose of mWorks, offer clear guidance, and enhance motivational and goal-setting strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholders' experience-based knowledge asserted that mWorks needs to empower service users by providing them with a personal support tool. To enhance return-to-work prospects, users must be engaged in a meaningful manner while focusing on their strengths and resources.

Capability to make well-founded decisions: an interview study of people with experience of sickness absence who have common mental disorders

Background

Sickness absence and rehabilitation processes can be challenging for an individual. At a time of generally reduced capacity, the individual must comprehend and navigate through several options. The aim of this study was to investigate the prerequisites for support, knowledge and information related to decision making experienced by people on sickness absence due to common mental disorders.

Methods

A qualitative explorative approach was used. Face-to-face interviews took place with 11 sick-listed individuals with common mental disorders. Patients were recruited from different sources in the western part of Sweden, such as primary health care centres, patient organizations and via social media. Data analysis was performed using manifest content analysis, meaning that the analysis was kept close to the original text, and on a low level of interpretation and abstraction.

Results

The analysis revealed three themes that described experiences of decision making during the sick leave and rehabilitation process: Ambiguous roles challenge possibilities for moving on; Uncertain knowledge base weakens self-management; and Perceived barriers and enablers for ending sick leave.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that alternatives need to be found that address sickness absence and rehabilitation processes from a complex perspective. Collaboration between stakeholders as well as shared decision making should be considered when the time for return to work is discussed with sick-listed individuals. Other factors in the context of the individual must also be considered. Current knowledge on strategies to improve health/well-being while being in the sick leave process need to be elaborated, communicated and adapted to each individuals’ unique situation, including clarifying rights, obligations and opportunities during the sick-leave process.

Effectiveness of Resource Groups for Improving Empowerment, Quality of Life, and Functioning of People With Severe Mental Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Although the importance of recovery-oriented care for people with severe mental illness (SMI) is widely acknowledged, essential elements such as personalization and involvement of significant others are not adequately implemented in practice.

Objective

To determine whether using resource groups (RGs) within flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) has favorable effects on empowerment and recovery-related outcomes in people with SMI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This assessor-blind, multisite randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 1, 2017, to September 30, 2020, with follow-up at 9 and 18 months. A total of 158 participants aged 18 to 65 years meeting the criteria for SMI were randomly allocated to FACT plus RG vs FACT as usual (1:1) in 20 FACT teams throughout the Netherlands. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021. The study was prespecified in the trial protocol and data from the intent-to-treat population were analyzed.

Interventions

In the FACT plus RG condition, patients chose members from their informal and formal networks to form an RG that meets quarterly to discuss self-formulated recovery goals. The RG was integrated into the multidisciplinary support provided by the FACT team. In the FACT as-usual condition, empowerment (defined as overcoming powerlessness and gaining control of one's life) and involvement of significant others was also part of the provided care, but without the structure of the RG.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was self-reported empowerment, measured with the Netherlands Empowerment List.

Results

A total of 158 participants with SMI (median age, 38 [median absolute deviation, 13] years; 93 men [58.9%]) were randomized to FACT plus RG (n = 80) or FACT as usual (n = 78) care. Intention-to-treat analyses showed that randomization to the RG condition was associated with a clinically significant increase in empowerment (Cohen d, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.21-0.86) and improved outcomes with small to medium effect sizes in terms of quality of life (Cohen d, 0.25; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.56), personal recovery (Cohen d, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.06-0.69), quality of social contact (Cohen d, 0.24; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.56), disability (Cohen d, 0.29; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.60), general functioning (Cohen d, 0.30; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.62), and social functioning (Cohen d, 0.28; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.59). No differences between conditions were found regarding psychopathological symptoms, attachment, frequency of social contact, and employment. Compared with FACT as usual, participants who stayed with the assigned treatment in the RG condition were more satisfied with treatment at 9 (Cohen d = 0.45; t135 = -2.62; P = .009) and 18 (Cohen d = 0.41; t116 = -2.22; P = .02) months.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings show that working with RGs improves empowerment and other mental health outcomes in people with SMI who receive community-based mental health services. This method of network-oriented care empowers people with SMI within their own environment.

Trial Registration

Netherlands Trial Register Identifier: NL6548.

Acceptability of a digital return-to-work intervention for common mental disorders: a qualitative study on service user perspectives

BACKGROUND

There is an evident discrepancy between need and provision of evidence-based return-to-work (RTW) interventions in existing mental health services. Online dissemination of evidence-based interventions is presumed to reduce this gap. However, there is almost no knowledge available on perceived acceptability of digital RTW interventions among service users, which are factors that might influence the development and implementation of future interventions. The aim of this study was to develop knowledge of service user acceptability of mWorks, a proposed digital RTW solution.

METHODS

Participants (n = 18) with experience of common mental disorder and sick leave were recruited with a purposive snowball sampling method. Semi-structured interviews (n = 12) and one focus group interview (n = 6) were conducted. A deductive thematic analysis was performed according to the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability.

RESULTS

Digital RTW interventions were perceived as acceptable and aligned with participant value. Participants expressed positive attitudes toward having access to support, regardless of time and place. A certain ambiguity between a decline in social interactions and opportunities to RTW in a safe space was reported. Participants were confident in their ability to use digital RTW solutions, but reported the need to reduce stressful elements of using smartphones. Overly demanding digital solutions, i.e. ones requiring high cognitive effort, were described as burdensome.

CONCLUSIONS

For digital RTW solutions to be acceptable, they need to complement traditional services by providing accessible and person-centred support throughout the RTW process. They should be designed to reduce the need for cognitive effort. Future research should explore how to balance user autonomy with other support components in digital interventions.

Relationship between initial self-perceived depressive symptoms and disease severity in working patients with first-onset major depressive disorder

The severity of major depressive disorder (MDD), which is related to the depressive symptoms, is a predictor of clinical outcomes and may be used to determine the appropriate treatment. However, there is a lack of systematic research on the relationship between early depressive symptoms and MDD severity. This study aimed to clarify the association between initial depressive symptoms and MDD severity in working patients. We assessed 118 patients aged over 20 years who visited the Neuropsychiatry Department of the Osaka City University Hospital following their first episode of MDD. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between age, gender, marital status, working hours, and initial self-perceived depressive symptoms and MDD severity. Age and working hours were analyzed as continuous variables, and gender (man, woman), marital status (married, single) and severity (mild to moderate MDD, severe to very severe MDD) were analyzed as categorical variables. The most common initial self-perceived symptom was “depressed mood,” followed by “fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.” The univariate analysis found no association between age, gender, marital status, or working hours and MDD severity. Initial self-perceived non-somatic symptoms were associated with increased odds of having severe MDD (odds ratio = 3.32, 95% confidence interval 1.46–7.58), and this association persisted in the adjusted model (odds ratio = 3.35, 95% confidence interval 1.47–7.60). Initial self-perceived non-somatic depressive symptoms are significantly associated with MDD severity at its first onset. Workplace support may lead to the early detection and treatment of working patients with non-somatic symptoms.

Exploring mediators of the recovery process over time among mental health service users, using a mixed model regression analysis based on cluster RCT data

BACKGROUND

Personal recovery is associated with many significant health-related factors, but studies exploring associations between activity factors and personal recovery among service users are scarce. The aims of this study were hence to; 1) investigate if various aspects of activity may mediate change in recovery while also acknowledging clinical, sociodemographic and well-being factors; 2) explore the effects of two activity-based interventions, Balancing Everyday Life (BEL) or standard occupational therapy (SOT), on personal recovery among service users.

METHODS

Two-hundred-and-twenty-six service users were included in a cluster RCT, 133 from BEL units and 93 from SOT units. Participants commonly had a diagnosis of mood disorder and the mean age was 40. Instruments used targeted activity, mastery and functioning. A mixed-model regression analysis was employed.

RESULTS

The model tested was whether selected variables could be used to mediate the change in recovery from the start to a six-month follow-up after intervention. Participants' personal recovery increased after treatment and increased further at the follow-up. The general level of recovery was negatively related to a diagnosis of depression/anxiety, both before and after treatment, but depressed/anxious service users still increased their recovery. There were no significant relations between recovery and sex or age. The interactions between change in recovery and changes in depression/anxiety, satisfaction with activities, sex, and age were all non-significant. All possible treatment mediators included were related to change in recovery, the strongest being occupational engagement and mastery, followed by activity satisfaction and symptoms. Mediation was shown by the decrease in the effect of the time factor (from intervention start to completion) when the covariates were introduced. In all cases the time variable was still significant. When testing a model with all variables simultaneously as covariates, occupational engagement and mastery were strongly significant. There was no difference between interventions regarding recovery improvement.

CONCLUSION

The treatments were equally beneficial and were effective regardless of gender, age and diagnosis. Those who gained most from the treatment also gained in feelings of mastery and activity engagement. Activity engagement also moderated the level of recovery. To enhance recovery, interventions should facilitate meaningful activities and gaining control in life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov . Reg. No. NCT02619318 . Retrospectively registered: December 2, 2015.

Role of a Digital Return-To-Work Solution for Individuals With Common Mental Disorders: Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Three Stakeholder Groups

Background

Although effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are not widely available for individuals with common mental disorders on sick leave, there is potential for transforming such interventions into a digital solution in an effort to make them more widely available. However, little is currently known about the viewpoints of different stakeholder groups, which are critical for successful development and implementation of a digital RTW intervention in health care services.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine stakeholder groups’ perspectives on the role and legitimacy of a digital RTW solution called mWorks for individuals with common mental disorders who are on sick leave.

Methods

A purposeful snowball sampling method was utilized to recruit respondents. Semistructured individual and focus group interviews were conducted for stakeholder groups of service users, RTW professionals, and influential managers regarding their experiences, needs, and preferences for mWorks. Content analysis generated themes and categories that constituted the main findings.

Results

The legitimacy of a digital RTW solution was high among all stakeholder groups since such a tool was perceived to enable service users to take control over their RTW process. This was mainly a product of accessible support and promotion of service user decision making, which had the potential to empower service users. All respondents stressed the importance of fostering a positive user experience with usability and emphasis on service user resources and strengths, as opposed to various limitations and shortcomings. Stakeholder groups highlighted critical content to facilitate RTW, such as the need to clarify a back-to-work plan, accompanied by an accessible RTW network and strategies for handling mental health problems. Implementation challenges primarily involved influential managers’ concern of legislation incompatibility with innovative technology, and RTW professionals’ concern of the possibility that digital solutions may replace them to a certain extent.

Conclusions

This formative research emphasizes the importance of shifting power from RTW professionals to service users. mWorks can play a role in mediating service user control over the RTW process, and thereby increase their empowerment. A digital RTW solution may facilitate the circumvention of implementation barriers associated with introducing evidence-based RTW interventions in a traditional RTW context.

Lived experiences: a focus group pilot study within the MentALLY project of mental healthcare among European users

BACKGROUND

Mental healthcare is an important component in societies' response to mental health problems. Although the World Health Organization highlights availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of healthcare as important cornerstones, many Europeans lack access to mental healthcare of high quality. Qualitative studies exploring mental healthcare from the perspective of people with lived experiences would add to previous research and knowledge by enabling in-depth understanding of mental healthcare users, which may be of significance for the development of mental healthcare. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to describe experiences of mental healthcare among adult Europeans with mental health problems.

METHOD

In total, 50 participants with experiences of various mental health problems were recruited for separate focus group interviews in each country. They had experiences from both the private and public sectors, and with in- and outpatient mental healthcare. The focus group interviews (N = 7) were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five themes and 13 subthemes.

RESULTS

The theme Seeking and trying to find help contained three subthemes describing personal thresholds for seeking professional help, not knowing where to get help, and the importance of receiving help promptly. The theme Awaiting assessment and treatment contained two subthemes including feelings of being prioritized or not and feelings of being abandoned during the often-lengthy referral process. The theme Treatment: a plan with individual parts contained three subthemes consisting of demands for tailored treatment plans in combination with medications and human resources and agreement on treatment. The theme Continuous and respectful care relationship contained two subthemes describing the importance of continuous care relationships characterised by empathy and respect. The theme Suggestions for improvements contained three subthemes highlighting an urge to facilitate care contacts and to increase awareness of mental health problems and a wish to be seen as an individual with potential.

CONCLUSION

Facilitating contacts with mental healthcare, a steady contact during the referral process, tailored treatment and empathy and respect are important aspects in efforts to improve mental healthcare. Recommendations included development of collaborative practices between stakeholders in order to increase general societal awareness of mental health problems.

Exploring the service and knowledge gap between rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work process of people with mental health problems in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Research is needed on how to optimize the return-to-work process for persons with mental health problems.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a model that explains how employer and rehabilitation professional mental health literacy may influence strategies used in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems.

METHODS

A grounded theory study design was used to collect and analyse interview data from 23 employers and 22 rehabilitation professionals.

RESULTS

The analysis resulted in four categories, illustrated in a conceptual process model: 1) seeing mental health problems through past experiences; 2) separating understandable and incomprehensible mental health problems; 3) balancing safeguarding one's personal interest with providing adequate support; and 4) facing conflicts and uncertainty in employee/service user return-to-work. A positional map of employer/rehabilitation types was created based on level of negative attitudes and uncertainty in supporting employees/service users and the employer in relation to the level of comprehensive understanding of mental health problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional mental health literacy needs to be increased. Interventions need to be developed that provide employers with targeted support and knowledge in mental health literacy. Education on how to prevent and detect common mental health problems in the workplace is needed.

Implementation of a novel return-to-work approach for persons with affective disorders in a traditional vocational rehabilitation context: a case study

Background

The person-centred Individual Enabling and Support (IES) model is a novel return-to-work (RTW) intervention for people with affective disorders that was developed from evidence-based supported employment for persons with severe mental illness. Typically, supported employment is integrated into mental healthcare and provides a network around the service user and close collaboration with employment and insurance services and employers. Introducing integrated models into a highly sectored welfare system that includes traditional mental healthcare and vocational rehabilitation is challenging. Greater knowledge is needed to understand how facilitating or hindering factors influence this introduction. The aim of this study was to investigate essential components in implementation of the IES model.

Methods

A case-study was conducted and included four mental healthcare services. Data collection was comprised of semi-structured interviews with 19 key informants, documentation from meetings, and reflection notes. Analyses were performed according to directed content analysis, using the components of the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guiding tool. Fidelity assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months.

Results

Anticipating RTW support for the target group, and building collaborative relationships and a network with employment specialists that engaged staff in every organization were components that resulted in the greatest facilitation if IES implementation. Barriers consisted of difficulty in integrating employment specialists into the mental healthcare teams, insufficient engagement of first line managers, reorganization and differing perceptions of the IES model fit into a traditional vocational context. Delivery of the IES model had good fidelity.

Conclusions

The IES model can be implemented with good fidelity, several model advantages, and context adaptation. Team integration difficulties and negative perceptions of model fit in a traditional vocational rehabilitation context can be overcome to a certain degree, but this is insufficient for sustainable implementation on a larger scale. Policy and guidelines need to promote integrative and person-centred RTW approaches rather than a segregated stepwise approach. Further implementation studies in the traditional vocational rehabilitation context are needed.

Predictors of clinically important improvements in occupational and quality of life outcomes among mental health service users after completion and follow-up of a lifestyle intervention: multiple regression modelling based on longitudinal data

BACKGROUND

Balancing Everyday Life (BEL) is a new activity-based lifestyle intervention for mental health service users. An earlier study found BEL to be effective in increasing occupational engagement, occupational balance, activity level, and quality of life scores when compared with a care-as-usual group. However, it is unclear whether care context and socio-demographic, clinical and self-related factors at baseline also influence the results. Thus, the aim of the current study was to explore whether such factors could predict clinically important improvements in occupational and quality of life aspects.

METHODS

Participants were interviewed and filled out self-report questionnaires before starting the 16-week intervention (n = 133), upon completion (n = 100), and 6 months following (n = 89). Bi-variate and multi-variate statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Several baseline factors were associated with clinically important improvements, but few predictors were found in the multivariate analyses. Having children was found to be a predictor of improvement in occupational engagement at BEL completion, but reduced the chance of belonging to the group with clinically important improvement in activity level at follow-up. Regarding occupational balance, having a close friend predicted belonging to the group with clinically important improvement in the leisure domain. At BEL completion, other predictors for improvements were female gender for the self-care domain, and self-esteem for the home chores domain. At follow-up, psychosocial functioning and lower education level predicted general balance. None of the factors explored in this study were found to be predictors for improvements in quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Few of the studied care context, socio-demographic, clinical and self-related factors were found to predict clinically important improvements in occupational engagement, activity level, occupational balance, or QOL. This study, together with previous studies showing positive results, suggests that BEL can be an appropriate intervention in both community and clinical settings, and can support improvement in occupational aspects and QOL for participants with diverse socio-demographic, clinical, and self-related characteristics.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is part of a larger research project that is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Reg. No. NCT02619318.

Factors influencing return to work after stroke: the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the rate of return to work and identify key factors associated with return to work between 3 months and 2 years after stroke.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation (KOSCO) in Korea.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 193 persons with first-ever stroke who reported working status at 3 months after stroke.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Data on baseline characteristics were collected from medical records. Functional assessments were performed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the modified Rankin Scale, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Functional Ambulatory Category, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, the Korean version of the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurement System, the Korean-Modified Barthel Index, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and the EuroQol-5 dimensions. An enumeration survey included the Reintegration to Normal Living Index, the Psychosocial Well-being Index-Short Form (, the Family Support Index and the Caregivers Burden Index.

RESULTS

Overall, 145 (75.1%) patients who had a stroke in the "Continuously-Employed" group and 48 (24.9%) in the "Employed-Unemployed" group returned to work between 3 months and 2 years after stroke. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that in patients who had a stroke, characteristics such as age, PWI-SF Score, and caregiver characteristics, including age, sex (female) and living arrangements, were significantly associated with return to work between 3 months and 2 years after stroke.

CONCLUSION

Age and PWI-SF Score of patients who had a stroke, as well as the age, sex and living arrangements of caregivers, are key factors influencing the return to work after stroke.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03402451.

Personal recovery within positive psychiatry

BACKGROUND

One goal within positive psychiatry is to support the personal recovery of persons with mental illness and providing opportunities for well-being.

AIM

The current article aims to introduce readers to the concept of personal recovery and the potential and importance of recovery-oriented services and measures.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to help consider the domains of 'personal recovery', 'recovery-oriented services/interventions', and 'measures'. A database search was complemented with a web-based search. Both medical subject heading (MESH) terms and free-text search terms were used.

RESULTS

Literature from research journals, grey literature, and websites were included. Within this context, recovery does not refer to a cure but involves a process in which a person acts as an agent to develop new goals and meaning in life, despite and beyond limitations posed by the illness and its consequences. A positive focus on recovery is in sharp contrast to historical deterministic and pessimistic concepts of mental illnesses. Recovery-oriented services such as peer support, assertive community treatment, supported employment/education/housing, illness self-management, and decreasing self-stigma are highlighted. A review of 27 measures that focus on personal recovery and promotion of well-being are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature overview presents perspectives and knowledge of how to develop positive psychiatry, how mental health services and their partner organizations may become more recovery oriented and help persons reach well-being and a better quality of life. This study is limited to a narrative review and may precede future systematic reviews.

The effect of individual enabling and support on empowerment and depression severity in persons with affective disorders: outcome of a randomized control trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of Individual Enabling and Support (IES) on empowerment and depression severity as compared to Traditional Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) in people with affective disorders at 12 months follow-up. Additionally, longitudinal changes within the intervention groups and the correlation over time between empowerment and depression severity were evaluated.

METHOD

A single-blind randomized controlled trial of two intervention groups, IES (n = 33) and TVR (n = 28), was performed with measurement points at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Individuals with affective disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder diagnoses were included. The Empowerment Scale and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Self-Rating Scale were administered, and Intention-To-Treat analysis was applied. The study was registered with the trial number ISRCTN93470551.

RESULT

There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention groups on empowerment and depression severity at 12 months. Within-group analysis showed that IES-participants increased their perceived empowerment and decreased their depression severity between measurement points, this was not seen among TVR-participants. A moderate, inverse relationship was detected between empowerment and depression.

CONCLUSION

IES is more effective in increasing empowerment and decreasing depression severity after a 12-month intervention than is TVR. This study was limited by a small sample size and larger trials in different contexts are needed.

DSM-5 Criteria and Depression Severity: Implications for Clinical Practice

Background: Depression diagnosis requires five or more symptoms (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-DSM-5). One of them must be either Depressed mood or Anhedonia, named main criteria. Although the secondary symptoms can be divided into somatic and non-somatic clusters, the DSM-5 identify depression in all or none fashion. In contrast, depression severity is a continuous variable. Therefore, it is commonly assessed with scales such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). Previously, we reported that patients with moderate depression (MD) exhibit greater impairments in cardiac-autonomic modulation than severely depressed (SD) patients. However, clinicians usually do not use scales. Objective: To verify whether the DSM-5 symptoms would be able to discriminate SD from MD and MD from non-depressed (ND) subjects. Material and Methods: Depression was diagnosed based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5® Disorders. The HAMD evaluated depression severity. In depressed subjects, MD and SD were defined considering the HAMD scores. ND was defined considering both the absence of DSM-5 criteria for depression and the HAMD score. Among 782 outpatients, 46 SD were found. MD and ND subjects were randomly sampled to match the demographic variables of the SD group. Results: Discriminant analysis showed that Depressed Mood was the most reliable symptom to discriminate ND from MD. Anhedonia discriminated SD from MD. Among the secondary DSM-5 criteria, the somatic cluster discriminated ND from MD and the non-somatic cluster SD from MD patients. Discussion: The presence of the somatic cluster in MD may indicate decreased vagal tone and/or increased sympathetic tone, leading to higher cardiovascular risk. As SD is associated with the non-somatic cluster, these patients are at risk of committing suicide. The DSM-5 symptoms exhibited by the patient may help the choice of adequate pharmacological treatment. This would avoid the use of antidepressants that unnecessarily increase cardiac risk in MD. When the symptom cluster suggests SD, the treatment must focus on the prevention of suicide. Conclusions: Depression severity may be inferred based on the DSM-5 criteria. The presence of the Anhedonia main criterium accompanied by non-somatic criteria indicate SD. The Depressive Mood criterium followed by somatic criteria suggest MD.

Critical factors for the return-to-work process among people with affective disorders: Voices from two vocational approaches

BACKGROUND

Depression is among the major causes of disability with a negative impact on both daily life and work performance. Whilst depression is the primary cause of sick-leave and unemployment in today's workplace there is a lack of knowledge of the needs of individuals with depression regarding their return-to-work (RTW) process.

OBJECTIVE

To explore which factors are of critical importance for people suffering from depression and who also are unemployed in their RTW-process and to explore the impact of two vocational approaches on the service users' experiences. The study included participants in two vocational rehabilitation approaches; Individual Enabling and Support (IES) and Traditional Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR).

METHOD

Qualitative methods were applied to explore critical factors in the RTW-process. Individuals with affective disorders including depression and bipolar disorder were included.RESULTSThree themes emerged as critical factors; Experiencing hope and power, professionals' positive attitudes, beliefs and behaviours, and employing a holistic perspective and integrating health and vocational service.CONCLUSIONThis study has demonstrated critical factors for the return-to-work process as experienced by persons with depression. To experience hope and power, to meet professionals that believe "you can work", who use a person-centred and holistic service approach, are such factors necessary for gaining a real job. In particular, professionals in TVR need to embrace this understanding since their services were not experienced as including these elements.

Enabling the return-to-work process among people with affective disorders: A multiple-case study

BACKGROUND

The Individual Enabling and Support (IES) model is an adapted, supported employment program developed to meet motivational, cognitive and time-use needs of people with affective disorders. Vocational programs for this target group have been developed but more knowledge is needed about the important characteristics and perceived usefulness of the programs. The aim of this study was to illustrate the IES model and process from multiple perspectives.

METHODS

Five participants were included in this multiple-case study. The material comprised interviews with participants, intervention documents, memos and interviews with employment specialists. Within and cross-case analyzes and an analytical generalization were performed.

RESULTS

The cases illustrated different IES processes, and the theme; Enabling engagement in return to work (RTW) was formulated. Continuous support from the employment specialist and a focus on personal resources and motivation were essential to overcome low self-confidence regarding RTW. Motivational, cognitive and time-use strategies gave an opportunity to learn new behavior and coping strategies for job seeking, getting employed and working.

CONCLUSION

Providing a combination of these strategies integrated with supported employment could promote self-efficacy and engagement in the RTW process among people on sick leave due to an affective disorder.