Working conditions and self-efficacy among users of psychotherapeutic consultation at work

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PT-A) aims to prevent sickness absence and to facilitate return to work by offering early intervention and treatment for employees with (subclinical) symptoms of mental disorders. PT-A specifically considers work-related aspects to increase occupational self-efficacy, which is a predictor for work ability and return to work. This study investigates which psychosocial working conditions are related with occupational self-efficacy among employees who enrolled for PT-A. Methods This cross-sectional analysis uses baseline data of 536 participants of a randomized controlled trial (friaa-study) investigating the effect of PT-A in Germany. Psychosocial working conditions were measured by the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) using the following subscales: quantitative and emotional demands, decision authority, possibilities for development, leadership quality and social support. Occupational self-efficacy was measured by the short form of the Occupational Self-Efficacy Scale. Associations between psychosocial working conditions and occupational self-efficacy are calculated by multiple linear regression. Results Quantitative job demands are negatively (b=-0.118, SE = 0.047, p<.05) and possibilities for development (b = 0.284, SE = 0.049, p<.001) are positively associated with occupational self-efficacy. Interactions between sex and decision authority (b = 0.228, SE = 0.097, p<.05) and social support (b=-0.273, SE = 0.101, p<.05) suggest that occupational self-efficacy is only associated with social support among male and only associated with decision authority among female participants. Conclusions Results suggest that psychosocial working conditions and particularly quantitative job demands, decision authority, possibilities for development and social support should be addressed during PT-A. However, longitudinal data ought to shed light on the causal relationships between working conditions and occupational self-efficacy. Key messages • Results suggest that adverse psychosocial working conditions are related to lower levels of occupational self-efficacy among users or PT-A. • It might therefore be useful to address psychosocial working conditions with employees visiting PT-A.