Article

We conducted a qualitative study into the return-to-work process of
workers partially on sick leave due to common mental disorders. Our objectives
were to describe the barriers to a full return to work, solutions, communicating
to the working environment and the aim of a full return to work,
all as perceived by the workers.
METHOD: Workers who had partially returned to work and were
partially on long-term sick leave due to a stress-related, anxiety or depressive
disorder were eligible for this study. Fourteen workers were interviewed and the interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded.
RESULTS: The perceived main
barriers were: inability to set limits, recognise exhaustion and to control
cognitions and behaviour such as perfectionism. A general pattern in the process
was that all workers perceived barriers to a full return to work; most workers
were able to mention solutions; all workers aimed for a full return to work, and
after some time all workers were met with sufficient understanding and social
support from their supervisor and health care professional. However, hardly any
worker intended to implement or utilise the solutions at the workplace, except
the structural adaptations of the work demands. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern we found
suggests a critical intention-behaviour gap between solutions and intentions for
a full return to work and its implementation at work.
This implies that we should
develop new interventions that focus on helping workers and their environment to
bridge this gap.
- Troubles mentaux - Stress

Langue : ANGLAIS