Comorbidity and labor force activity among people with psychiatric disorders.

Abstract

Comorbidity among people with psychiatric disorders with respect to other health conditions is extensive yet is rarely explored in-depth in occupational studies. We investigated how other ICD-10 comorbidity impacted on the labor force activity of people with psychiatric disorders. A secondary analysis of data files was conducted provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from a 2003 population survey (N = 36,088). The reference group was working age community residents without long-term health conditions. Comorbidity with a broad range of ICD-10 health conditions can be characterized by both type and extent of comorbidity. Both dimensions are needed to explain impacts on labor force activity. Health professionals, policymakers, and administrators can utilize these results to identify people with psychiatric disorders and comorbidity profiles most likely to need more intensive vocational services.