Beate Muschalla1. 1. a Work and Organizational Psychology , University of Potsdam, Brandenburgklinik Bernau , Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work anxiety is often associated with long-term sick leave and requires early intervention. Work anxieties are associated with negative work perception. Therefore, one aim in early intervention is a cognitive reframing of dysfunctional perceptions of workplace characteristics. METHODS: A psychotherapeutic specialist conducted two group programs of four sessions each. One hundred twenty-three rehabilitation in-patients with work anxieties were randomly assigned either to a work anxiety-coping group or to a recreational group. The Short Questionnaire for Work Analysis (KFZA) was administered before and after the group treatment to measure perceptions of working conditions. RESULTS: Participants from the work anxiety-coping group did not see their work in a significantly more positive light at the end of the intervention compared to participants from the recreational group. CONCLUSIONS: A short work anxiety-coping group did not initiate a consistent positive re-appraisal of work. Employers and occupational physicians should not expect positive changes of work perception when an employee returns from short medical rehabilitation including work-directed treatment. Additional support from the workplace must be considered, e.g. employer-physician-employee conversation preceding return to work, or (temporary) work adjustment.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Work anxiety is often associated with long-term sick leave and requires early intervention. Work anxieties are associated with negative work perception. Therefore, one aim in early intervention is a cognitive reframing of dysfunctional perceptions of workplace characteristics. METHODS: A psychotherapeutic specialist conducted two group programs of four sessions each. One hundred twenty-three rehabilitation in-patients with work anxieties were randomly assigned either to a work anxiety-coping group or to a recreational group. The Short Questionnaire for Work Analysis (KFZA) was administered before and after the group treatment to measure perceptions of working conditions. RESULTS:Participants from the work anxiety-coping group did not see their work in a significantly more positive light at the end of the intervention compared to participants from the recreational group. CONCLUSIONS: A short work anxiety-coping group did not initiate a consistent positive re-appraisal of work. Employers and occupational physicians should not expect positive changes of work perception when an employee returns from short medical rehabilitation including work-directed treatment. Additional support from the workplace must be considered, e.g. employer-physician-employee conversation preceding return to work, or (temporary) work adjustment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Anxiety; Mental disorders; Mental health; Return to work; Sick leave; Work perception; Work-oriented interventions; Workplace
Authors: H U Wittchen; F Jacobi; J Rehm; A Gustavsson; M Svensson; B Jönsson; J Olesen; C Allgulander; J Alonso; C Faravelli; L Fratiglioni; P Jennum; R Lieb; A Maercker; J van Os; M Preisig; L Salvador-Carulla; R Simon; H-C Steinhausen Journal: Eur Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 4.600