title: Work satisfaction and quality of life in cancer survivors in the first year after oncological rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since a growing number of patients are likely to return to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis and treatment, there is an increasing recognition of the work situation, and the physical as well as psychosocial functioning among those survivors who returned to work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively examine Health Related quality of Life (HRQoL) and different aspects of work satisfaction in cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  N=702 employed cancer patients (85% women) were recruited on average 11 months post diagnosis and assessed at the beginning (<formula>t_1</formula>), the end (<formula>t_2</formula>) and 12 months after cancer rehabilitation program (<formula>t_3</formula>).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed validated measures assessing work satisfaction, working conditions, job strain and HRQoL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants showed a high work satisfaction and were most satisfied with job related activities and least satisfied with work organization and leadership. Total work satisfaction was significantly associated with older age, higher monthly income, higher school education, and HRQoL, but not with any cancer- or treatment related characteristics. No significant changes in work satisfaction over time were observed except for a significant deterioration in satisfaction with job related activities (p=0.002; η<formula> ^2</formula> =0.019), professional acknowledgement (p=0.036; η<formula> ^2</formula> =0.009), and overall work satisfaction (p < 0.001; η<formula> ^2</formula> =0.087) with small to moderate effect sizes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings emphasize the need for comprehensive cancer rehabilitation programs and specific vocational interventions.
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany Department and Outpatient Clinic of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehnert
authors.affiliation: Department and Outpatient Clinic of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany Deanery Medical Faculty and Department and Outpatient Clinic of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Work satisfaction; cancer; employment; quality of life; rehabilitation