Disability, employment and work performance among people with ICD-10 anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain at a population level, patterns of disability, labour force participation, employment and work performance among people with ICD-10 anxiety disorders in comparison to people without disability or long-term health conditions.


METHODS
A secondary analysis was conducted of a probability sample of 42 664 individuals collected in an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) national survey in 1998. Trained lay interviewers using ICD-10 computer-assisted interviews identified household residents with anxiety disorders.


RESULTS
Anxiety disorders were associated with: reduced labour force participation, degraded employment trajectories and impaired work performance compared to people without disabilities or long-term health conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
People with anxiety disorders may need more effective treatments and assistance with completing education and training, joining and rejoining the workforce, developing career pathways, remaining in the workforce and sustaining work performance. A whole-of-government approach appears needed to reduce the burden of disease and increase community labour resources. Implications for clinicians, vocational professionals and policy makers are discussed.
Waghorn
Geoff
G
QCMHR, The Park, Centre for Mental Health, Richlands, Queensland, Australia. geoff_waghorn@qcmhr.qu.edu.au
Chant
David
D
White
Paul
P
Whiteford
Harvey
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001315:Australia; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012943:Social Security / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014830:Vocational Guidance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation