Similarities and differences in RTW predictors across time points and diagnoses
CMD, depression, Psychiatric comorbidity, anxiety
Findings from the multivariate analyses revealed not mainly similarities but also a few differences between the CMD group and the subgroups and between the subgroups. Lower return-to-work self-efficacy was identified as a factor predicting slower RTW at 6 and 12 months in the CMD group and in the depression subgroup. Poorer quality of life was a predictor for slower RTW in the CMD group at both time points and in the anxiety subgroup at 12 months. Psychiatric comorbidity predicted slower RTW at 12 months in the stress subgroup. Being male and being unmarried were significant demographic predictors for slower RTW in the CMD group and in the depression subgroup, but only at 12 months. The most prominent factor predicting slower RTW was being on sick leave from unemployment compared to employment. This factor was significant at 6 and 12 months both in the CMD group and in the stress, anxiety and depression subgroups.In the univariate analysis, most factors predicting RTW at 6 months also predicted RTW at 12 months. A higher symptom burden at baseline reduced the likelihood of RTW at both time points in the CMD group and in all diagnostic subgroups. These results are to some extent consistent with the systematic review by Fisker et al. (An interesting finding in our study is that psychological predictors of RTW differed between the anxiety and depression group. In the depression group, slower RTW was predicted by RTW-SE at both time pints, while RTW-SE was not a predictor for RTW in the anxiety group at any time point, neither in the univariate nor in the multivariate analysis. Instead, RTW was predicted by QOL at both time points. At 12 months, the association between QOL and RTW remained significant in the multivariate analysis.Self-efficacy can be understood as an individual’s confidence in his or her ability to perform certain behaviours effectively. In self-efficacy theories, experiences of mastery is connected to specific demand areas (Bandura and Adams Being on sick leave from unemployment compared to employment was a prominent factor predicting slower RTW at 6 and 12 months in the CMD group and the stress, anxiety and depression subgroups. This result aligns with findings from other studies (Audhoe et al. 