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Depression-related short-term disability in an employed population
Carolyn S Dewa1, Paula Goering, Elizabeth Lin
1Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. carolyn_dewa@camh.net
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|July 24, 2002
Summary
Workplace disability claims for depression are rising. This study found depression-related short-term disability affects more employees, lasts longer, and recurs more often than other mental disorders, though most return to work.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Increasing prevalence of workplace disability claims for mental and nervous disorders.
- Lack of descriptive data on the affected working population hinders effective program planning.
- Focus on depression as a significant contributor to short-term disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the prevalence of short-term disability due to depression in a Canadian financial/insurance sector workforce.
- To describe the characteristics of workers affected by depression-related disability.
- To analyze the disability outcomes for workers experiencing short-term disability due to depression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of administrative data from three major Canadian financial/insurance sector employers.
- Focus on short-term disability claims specifically related to depression.
- Comparison of depression-related disability with other nervous and mental disorders.
Main Results:
- Depression-related short-term disability affected more employees compared to other nervous and mental disorders.
- Episodes of depression-related disability were longer in duration and had a higher recurrence rate.
- Over 75% of affected workers returned to work after their disability episodes.
Conclusions:
- The impact of short-term disability due to depression is a significant concern for employers.
- This study identifies key characteristics of workers experiencing depression-related disability.
- Understanding disability outcomes provides insights for workplace intervention strategies.