title: Using intervention mapping to deconstruct cognitive work hardening: a return-to-work intervention for people with depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental health related work disability leaves are increasing at alarming rates with depression emerging as the most common mental disorder in the workforce. Treatments are available to alleviate depressive symptoms and associated functional impacts; however, they are not specifically aimed at preparing people to return to work. Cognitive work hardening (CWH) is a novel intervention that addresses this gap in the health care system. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the components and underlying mechanisms of CWH using Intervention Mapping (IM) as a tool to deconstruct its elements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cognitive sequelae of depression and their relevance to return-to-work (RTW) are examined together with interpersonal skills and other work-related competencies that affect work ability. IM, a tool typically used to create programs, is used to deconstruct an existing program, namely CWH, into its component parts and link them to theories and models in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CWH has been deconstructed into intervention elements which are linked to program performance objectives through underlying theoretical models. In this way, linkages are made between tools and materials of the intervention and the overall program objective of 'successful RTW for people with depression'. An empirical study of the efficacy of CWH is currently underway which should provide added insight and understanding into this intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of IM to CWH illustrates the theoretical underpinnings of the treatment intervention and assists with better understanding the linkage between intervention elements and intervention objective. Applying IM to deconstruct an existing program (rather than create a program) presents an alternate application of the IM tool which can have implications for other programs in terms of enhancing understanding, grounding in theoretical foundations, communicating program design, and establishing a basis for program evaluation and improvement.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, Canada. adeena.wisenthal@queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Adeena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wisenthal
authors.affiliation: Queen's University, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, ON, Canada. terry.krupa@queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krupa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods*; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*