Mental Well-Being and Capacity to Work as Determinants of Sustained Work Participation: A Swedish Survey and Registry Study.

Abstract

To assess associations between self-perceived mental well-being, work capacity, and sustained work participation (SWP) in a cohort of the Swedish working population. Cross-sectional survey data based on 7618 employees were linked to national registers to assess SWP over 1 year. Binary logistic regression models, including interaction terms, were used to examine the main and moderation effects. In the adjusted regression model, the Capacity to Work Index (C2WI) was independently and significantly associated with SWP. For each 1-point increase in C2WI, the odds of SWP decreased by 6% in women and 8% in men. This study demonstrates that self-perceived capacity to work is an important determinant of SWP. Although mental well-being is important from a public health perspective, efforts to improve cognitive and mental work capacity are vital for SWP.