Abstract
ObjectiveMental disorders have been identified as a leading cause for reduced work ability in industrialized countries. Identification of workplace factors that can increase the work ability of employees with depressive symptoms from the Baby Boom generation is, therefore, highly relevant. This study thus aims to investigate whether changes in psychosocial working conditions can moderate the negative association between depressive symptoms and work ability.MethodsTwo waves with a 3-year time lag of the German lidA cohort study with 3609 participants born in 1959 and 1965 (aged 46 and 52 years at first wave) were analyzed. Self-report data about depressive symptoms at baseline and changes of working conditions from baseline to follow-up were used to calculate main and interaction effects on perceived work ability at follow-up. These analyses were controlled for baseline work ability and working conditions.ResultsDepressive symptoms were predictive for an unfavorable course of work ability from baseline to follow-up (B = − 0.173, 95% CI = − 0.219 to − 0.128). However, no interaction effect between depressive symptoms and psychosocial working conditions was found. Instead, independent from the level of depressive symptoms, a decrease in quantitative demands (B = − 0.279, 95% CI = − 0.326 to − 0.232) and increases in leadership quality (B = 0.242, 95% CI = 0.192–0.292) and development opportunities (B = 0.177, 95% CI = 0.127–0.277) were related to a more favorable course of work ability. Only small effects were found for social support (B = 0.057, 95% CI = 0.008–0.106) and job control (B = 0.043, 95% CI = − 0.005–0.091).ConclusionsThe results indicate that the lagged and negative effect of depressive symptoms on work ability was not moderated by changes in psychosocial working conditions. However, the promotion of favorable working conditions may contribute to a positive development of work ability among employees from the Baby Boom generation independently from the level of depressive symptoms.
Highlights
Mental disorders are the most common cause for occupational disability in industrialized countries (Leijten et al 2015; Punakallio et al 2014; Rehfeld 2006; Theis et al 2018; Tuomi et al 1991)
Work ability at baseline was associated with future job control (B = 1.146, 95% CI = 0.329 to 1.963) and depressive symptoms (B = − 0.884, 95% CI = − 1.252 to − 0.517)
One starting point may involve adaptation of psychosocial working conditions (Bonde 2008; Gragnano et al 2018) so that we proposed that working conditions might moderate the effect of depressive symptoms on work ability among employees from the Baby Boom generation
Summary
Mental disorders are the most common cause for occupational disability in industrialized countries (Leijten et al 2015; Punakallio et al 2014; Rehfeld 2006; Theis et al 2018; Tuomi et al 1991). The risk for occupational disability due to depression seems to increase with age (Ahola et al 2011; Lagerveld et al 2010). This relationship gains increasing importance due to the burden of demographic change and upcoming retirement of the Baby Boom generation on pension systems and labor markets. Good work ability can be achieved if personal resources (e.g. knowledge, skills and health) conform to psychosocial working conditions (Ilmarinen 2001; Kooij 2015). Employees with depressive symptoms might be dependent on additional environmental resources in terms of good working conditions to maintain their work ability
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