Abstract
Intention to return to work (RTW) is an important predictor of actual RTW among individuals on sick leave in general. However, it is not known whether this is also the case for individuals with common mental disorders (CMDs). Because CMDs are a leading cause of disability worldwide, the RTW process is often more complex and sick leave periods are longer than for other diagnoses. Thus, it is important to focus solely on this group. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarise studies targeting individuals' RTW intention and its importance for actual RTW after sick leave due to CMDs. Studies relevant for the aim were identified by a structured searching in three electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO) from their inception until the end of June 2020, as well as grey literature and reference lists of included articles. To cover all aspects of "intention", close concepts such as "expectation" and "willingness" were searched for as well. After the selection process, 10 original research papers were included in the review: eight quantitative and two qualitative. Nine of the studies used the concept "expectation" and one "intention". There was also a lack of consistency in measurements across studies. However, they showed that intention (expectation) was a significant predictor of actual RTW. The conclusion is that RTW intention among individuals after sick leave due to CMDs has been narrowly investigated, with a lack of consistency in measurements. Future research should use behavioural-psychological theories to cover the concept "intention" in a more comprehensive and consistent manner.
Highlights
In the fields of health and occupational research, the abstract concept of individual's return to work (RTW) intention has seldom been investigated
Intention has been shown to be an essential aspect of various health behaviours (Asare, 2015; McDermott et al, 2015), and RTW after sick leave for musculoskeletal injuries (Dunstan et al, 2013)
Because RTW intention has been shown to be an important predictor of RTW regarding other disorders/injuries, we cannot ignore it for such a major contributor to disability as common mental disorders (CMDs)
Summary
In the fields of health and occupational research, the abstract concept of individual's return to work (RTW) intention has seldom been investigated. A previous review showed that external factors, such as workplace support/contact and gradual return can facilitate RTW after sick leave due to CMDs (Mikkelsen & Rosholm, 2018) As it seems, there is no existing review about the essential concept of RTW intention and its importance for actual RTW among individuals on sick leave due to CMDs. Because RTW intention has been shown to be an important predictor of RTW regarding other disorders/injuries, we cannot ignore it for such a major contributor to disability as CMDs. Conducting a scoping review of the current knowledge on individuals' RTW intention after sick leave due to CMDs is a relevant starting point to identify gaps in the area. The review aimed to answer three specific research questions concerning RTW intention among individuals on sick leave due to CMDs. (a) How is RTW intention measured in the literature? (b) What do the included studies reveal about the importance of RTW intention for actual RTW? (c) Are there any knowledge gaps and if there are, what are they?
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