Work related factors and sick leave after rehabilitation in burnout patients: experiences from the REST-project.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of psychosocial working conditions and coping strategies at work on change in sick leave level for patients on long-term sick leave due to burnout.


METHODS
A cohort sample of patients (n = 117) on long-term sick leave due to burnout was analyzed. The patients answered a questionnaire at baseline and sick leave information was collected from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency at baseline and at follow-up 2 years later. Two groups were formed depending on whether the patients had "improved" and reduced their sick leave level (56%) or if the sick leave level was "unchanged" (44%) at follow-up. The association between change in sick leave and predictors measuring psychosocial working conditions and coping strategies at work were analyzed using logistic regression.


RESULTS
The predictor, low control at work, was associated with unchanged sick leave at follow-up. When background characteristics were taken into account, usage of covert coping towards supervisors and covert coping towards workmates, respectively, also predicted unchanged sick leave level. High overcommitment was of borderline significance and associated with a reduced sick leave level at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with burnout who have experienced low control at work and used covert coping towards supervisors and/or workmates have a higher risk of not reducing their sick leave after rehabilitation. The workplace may contribute to a reduction of sick leave lengths with a more flexible work environment and improvement in communication strategies for employees and supervisors.
Norlund
Sofia
S
Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. sofia.norlund@envmed.umu.se
Reuterwall
Christina
C
Höög
Jonas
J
Nordin
Maria
M
Edlund
Curt
C
Slunga Birgander
Lisbeth
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*