Toward Effective Work Accommodations for Depression: Examining the Relationship Between Different Combinations of Depression Symptoms and Work Productivity Losses

Predicting the work ability of security guards at a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand

Objectives. The number of security guards in universities has increased significantly. This study aimed to predict work ability of university security guards. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 97 university security guards in Thailand was performed. Data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire covering social demographics, behavioral health and work ability. The data were analyzed using χ2 tests and logistic regression models. Results. The average work ability index (WAI) score was 38.1 ± 3.8, with 65.0% of participants scoring 'good'. Social support significantly influenced the WAI (p = 0.004). Those with insufficient support were 4.3 times more likely to show poor work ability. Mental health also impacted the WAI (p = 0.006); those with poor mental health were 4.7 times at risk. Additionally, work experience affected the WAI (p = 0.039). Those with ≥5 years of experience showed reduced work ability compared to their less-experienced counterparts (adjusted odds ratio 0.4; 95% confidence interval [0.20, 0.96]). Conclusions. Supervisors should provide social support and offer rewards and commendations to enhance employees' abilities, health behaviors and management of underlying diseases. Additionally, organizations should prioritize health and safety in the workplace to ensure their employees are healthier and perform their tasks more effectively.

The moderating role of physical activity on the relationship between work intensity and depressive symptoms among the employees

Our aim was to examine the associations between work intensity and depressive symptoms among the working population, as well as to identify the impact of physical activity (PA) on these relationships. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the correlations among work intensity, PA, and depressive symptoms. Working hours and working days were positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = 0.108, 0.063; all p values were <0.001). Regular PA, exercise time, exercise frequency, and exercise years were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = -0.121, -0.124, -0.152, -0.149; all p values were <0.001) and working days (r = -0.066, -0.050, -0.069, -0.044; all p values were <0.001), working hours (r = -0.113. -0.106, -0.161, -0.123; all p values were <0.001). Working days was positively correlated with working hours (r = 0.512, p < 0.001). Different levels of PA alleviated the effect of working hours or working days on depressive symptoms. Working hours seemed to be more correlated with depressive symptoms than working days. The results suggest that PA at any level could buffer against the effects of work intensity and might prove a helpful strategy for improving mental health issues among employees.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus over time

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to determine the trajectories of depressive symptoms in patients with SLE and to identify baseline characteristics that are associated with a patient's trajectory of depression.

METHODS

Data from the Lupus Outcomes Study at the University of California, San Francisco were analysed. Depressive symptomatology was assessed in years two through seven using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), with higher scores representing more severe depressive symptoms. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to determine latent classes of CES-D scores over time. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify baseline characteristics associated with worse classes of depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

CES-D scores for 763 individuals with SLE over 6 years were mapped into four distinct classes. Class 1 (36%) and class 2 (32%) comprised the largest proportion of the cohort and were defined by the lowest and low CES-D scores (no depression), respectively. Class 3 (22%) and class 4 (10%) had high and the highest scores (depression), respectively. Greater age [odds ratio (OR): 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99] and higher education level (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.89) at baseline were associated with lower odds of membership in worse classes of depressive symptoms. Conversely, lower income (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.92), worse SF-36 physical functioning scores (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.13) and worse SF-36 bodily pain scores (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.55, 1.61) were positively associated with membership in worse classes of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Four classes of depressive symptoms were identified in patients with SLE. Understanding the trajectories of depressive symptoms and the associated risk factors can aid in the management of these symptoms in individuals living with SLE.

Changes in depression domains as predictors of return to work in common mental disorders

BACKGROUND

Depression highly impairs function and reduces quality of life. Therefore, both symptomatic and functional recovery are important treatment goals. Depression consists of several cognitive, somatic, and affective symptom factors that differently affect function. However, it is unclear whether changes in these domains predict return to work (RTW) after treatment.

METHODS

Data were collected during treatment from patients on full or partial sick leave reporting depression symptoms (N = 300) at an out-patient clinic. Information on work status was assessed pre- and post-treatment and at 6 months follow-up. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate if residualized changes in symptom factors predicted full RTW, controlling for gender, education level, and age.

RESULTS

Changes (as symptom improvement) in the cognitive, somatic, and affective factor scores each significantly predicted full RTW post-treatment and at follow-up for patients on full and partial sick leave, even after controlling for gender, education level, and age. The change in the somatic factor explained the largest proportion of variance for full work post-treatment in patients on full sick-leave, while change in the cognitive factor explained most unique variance for patients on graded sick leave.

LIMITATIONS

The sample consisted of a majority of women with a relatively high level of education. This study should be replicated in more heterogeneous samples.

CONCLUSION

Changes in depression symptom domains are significant predictors for RTW work post-treatment. The change in the somatic factor explained the largest proportion of variance in patients on full sick leave and thus may particularly influence RTW after treatment.

The Work Ability of People with Mental Illnesses: A Conceptual Analysis

Continuous employment is an important goal for many people with mental illnesses. However, job retention and absenteeism remain significant problems that deter their attempts at gaining financial independence, expanding interpersonal relationships, and developing self-esteem. Although there is consensus on the necessity of their proactive treatment and social participation, such support is currently underwhelming. Therefore, this study analyzes the conceptual framework for work ability of people with mental illnesses. We performed our investigations using Rodgers' evolutionary conceptual analysis, targeting literature published from 1978 to 2020. Our search yielded 1420 articles in the Scopus inventory and 199 in PubMed. After exclusions, 13 articles remained. Using the same keywords in Google Scholar, we included 31 articles in our analysis. The attributes of work ability included the ability to self-manage, adaptability, the ability to dedicate oneself to work, and the ability to formulate plans. These were developed through a reiterative process. This study notes the importance of adjusting the work environment according to the patients' condition. Therefore, the ability to cope with stress and workload, as well as active self-adjustment, are crucial skills that nurses can help develop after assessing the patient's daily life. Furthermore, they can foster multidisciplinary collaboration and follow-up systems after employment.

Age and Gender Differences in Trends and Impact of Depression on Quality of Life in the United States, 2008 to 2016

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine age and gender differences in the relationship between depression and quality of life among United States adults.

METHODS

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data for 2008 to 2016 on 227,663 adults were analyzed. The dependent variable, quality of life, included physical component summary scores and mental component summary scores from the Short Form Health Survey. The key independent variable, depression, was measured using the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire. General linear regression models examined the relationship between quality of life and depression. Models were adjusted for individual and environmental characteristics, symptom status, functional and biological status, and health perceptions and were stratified by gender and age.

RESULTS

In adjusted models, mental component summary scores were significantly lower among those with depression compared with those without depression (β = -0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38 to -1.16) and lower among women compared with men (β = -0.10; 95% CI, 0.10 to -1.31). Models stratified by gender and age found women with depression ages 40 to 64 (β = -0.07; 95% CI, 0.07 to -0.20) and 65 or older (β = -0.08; 95% CI, 0.08 to -0.24) had significantly lower physical component summary scores compared with those without depression. Among men with depression, those ages 18 to 39 (β = -0.03; 95% CI, 0.03 to -0.10) and 40 to 64 (β = -0.09, 95% CI, 0.08 to -0.26) had lower physical component summary scores compared with those without depression. Women and men of all ages with depression had significantly lower mental component summary scores compared with those without depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health interventions and clinical approaches to address depression in women and men should target functional status in men and perceptions of health in women.