Work-Anxiety Rather Than Cognitive Performance Contributes to Workability Decisions in Patients With Mental Disorders.

Abstract

Mental workability decisions must be based on information on person's symptom load, cognitive performance, and workplace conditions. This investigation explores in which way these factors contribute to workability in persons with common mental disorders (CMDs). One thousand five hundred seventy CMD-patients underwent multimodal medical diagnostic. Participants filled in questionnaires on work-phobic-anxiety and general mental symptom load. They were also investigated concerning their cognitive performance. Sick leave duration, workplace problems, and subjective workability were assessed. Physicians' decision on the persons' workability (fit or unfit for work) was given 5 weeks later. Negative workability perception, long previous sick leave duration, and high work phobic anxiety explained unfitness for work, whereas general symptom load and general cognitive performance did not. Work-directed diagnostics and interventions must address work-phobic anxiety and subjective workability perception.