Occupational Counseling Research Articles

Personality profiles of 263 occupations.

While personality trait assessments are widely used in candidate selection, coaching, and occupational counseling, little published research has systematically compared occupations in personality traits. Using a comprehensive personality assessment, we mapped 263 occupations in self-reported Big Five domains and various personality nuances in a sample of 68,540 individuals and cross-validated the findings in informant ratings of 19,989 individuals. Controlling for age and gender, occupations accounted for 2%-7% of Big Five variance in both self-reports and informant reports. Most occupations' average Big Five levels were intuitive, replicated across rating methods, and were consistent with those previously obtained with a brief assessment in a different sociocultural context. Often, they also tracked the Occupational Information Network database's work style ratings and clustered along the International Standard Classification of Occupation's hierarchical framework. Finally, occupations with higher average levels of the personality domains typically linked to better job performance tended to be more homogeneous in these domains, suggesting that jobs with higher performing incumbents are often more selective for personality traits. Several personality nuances had intuitive occupational differences that were larger than those of the Big Five domains (explaining up to 12% variance) and replicated well across rating methods, providing more detailed insights into how job incumbents vary in personality. We provide an interactive application for exploring the results (https://apps.psych.ut.ee/JobProfiles/) and discuss the findings' theoretical and practical implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Effect of Occupational Safety and Health Counseling on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment at the Special UPTD of the Medan Hajj Hospital

The development of occupational safety and health science in the work environment can be seen with the development of advanced science and technology as well as the emergence of new innovations in the work environment and encouraging companies to improve the knowledge and skills of their human resources. The purpose of this study is to determine the Influence of Occupational Safety and Health Education (K3) on the Behavior of Using Personal Protective Equipment at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital. This research includes quasi-experimental research. This study uses a one group pretest and pottest design. The population in this study is emergency room nurses at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital which totals 50 nurses in June-August 2024. The sampling technique in this study is total sampling. The measuring tool in this study uses a univariate and bivariate distribution of non-parametric data with the Wilcoxon test. The results of the Wilcoxon statistical test of both knowledge and attitude obtained a P-value of 0.000. This means that at alpha 5% there is a significant difference in median score between before and after counseling. Meanwhile, in the aspect of action, there was an increase in the number of PPE users between before and after counseling. Because the results of Asymp.Sig of knowledge, attitudes and actions are less than 0.05, H0 is rejected so that there is an influence of occupational health and safety counseling (K3) on the behavior of using PPE. In conclusion, there is an influence of Occupational Safety and Health Counseling (K3) on the behavior of using personal protective equipment at the Special UPTD of Haji Medan Hospital. The suggestions are expected to increase the frequency of counseling and provide information on the importance of using personal protective equipment in the workplace, provide strict sanctions against nurses who do not use personal protective equipment at work, increase the frequency.

Return to Work After Release From Prison.

Work preservation is crucial for the reintegration of ex-prisoners and the prevention of recidivism. We describe the application of an interdisciplinary diagnostic protocol (occupational health visit, psychiatric interview, psychological counselling and testing) in the case of a dairy industry worker (female, 45-year-old), released on half-freedom after approximately a year of detention in prison for attempted murder. This crime can seriously hamper job resumption. The evaluation revealed a slightly depressed mood (consistent with recent life events), in the absence of major psychiatric disorders or other disturbances that could compromise working abilities or represent a danger for the coworkers. The patient was, therefore, judged able to resume her job. At six months follow-up, she had fully served her sentence and had returned to her previous job, with good relations with her colleagues. However, she encountered hostility from her employer, which induced her to find a new job as a secretary. Her mental health status was improved. The interdisciplinary approach described here may allow ex-prisoners to return to work by helping the company physician to formulate the judgement of job fitness, offering at the same time suggestions for a rational occupational reintegration.

ASSESSMENT OF GUIDANCE SERVICES IMPLEMENTED BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PHILIPPINES: BASIS FOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This study assessed the implementation of guidance services in secondary schools within General Santos City, focusing on fundamental functions performed by guidance offices, including individual inventory/cumulative records, educational and occupational information, counseling, testing, research and evaluation, follow-up and referral, and extension services. The research employed a descriptive-evaluative design, emphasizing judgment in the evaluation process. Participants in the study included 60 guidance advocates and principals or school heads from secondary schools in the DepEd Division of General Santos City. A meticulously validated survey questionnaire served as the primary tool for evaluating the services, with data analysis conducted through weighted means. The findings indicated areas in counseling and research and evaluation services that require intervention for improved implementation. Specifically, the study highlighted the inadequacy of guidance counselors for effective counseling and the limited capacity of guidance offices to conduct research and evaluation. To address these gaps, an intervention program was proposed, aiming to enhance the overall implementation of guidance services in secondary schools.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0744/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Prestação de cuidados em terapia ocupacional durante a COVID-19 via telessaúde para crianças de famílias que vivem em condições de vulnerabilidade e confinamento

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on health and education, parents and children living in non-urban areas were severely affected. Objective To design and implement a telehealth based occupational therapy intervention aimed at improving the well-being of children under nine years of age living in vulnerability and confinement conditions, the latter due to the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, through the provision of context-based occupational counseling to their parent/caregivers. Methods Before-and-after study conducted in families from rural and peri-urban areas living in conditions of vulnerability and in which children were attending online school. Descriptive and a bivariate analysis of the baseline conditions of the sample were performed, as well as before-after comparisons of the objectives achieved and their differences. Results 13 families completed the assessment and intervention processes (12 sessions, 94% attendance); the average age of children was 7.3 years, and in 92.3% of the families the head of the household was a woman. The before-after goals evaluation showed there were gains in all proposed goals, with the highest gains observed in the family social participation category. Conclusions Occupational therapy, telehealth and a context-based approach provide a broad array of benefits to families and children living in vulnerability and confinement conditions.

Occupational stress, respect, and the need for psychological counselling in Chinese nurses: a nationwide cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore occupational stress, perceived respect, and the need for psychological counselling among nurses in China. Study designThis was a nationwide cross-sectional study. MethodsChinese nurses from 311 cities were randomly selected through a simple random sampling method. Occupational stress, perceived respect, and psychological counselling need were assessed using an online questionnaire validated by experts. The underlying associated factors were analysed using multiple logistic regression analyses. ResultsWe collected and analysed 51,406 valid online questionnaires. Family factors and low income were the most commonly cited sources of occupational stress, and 91.9% and 80.0% of nurses, respectively, perceived that individuals in society and patients did not give adequate respect. Furthermore, 75.5% and 79.7%, respectively, believed they were not respected by clinical managers and doctors. As a result, 64.7% nurses believed they had a moderate or high need for psychological counselling. However, 80.7% indicated that receiving adequate respect could decrease the need for stress-related psychological counselling. Indeed, multiple logistic regression analyses showed that lower respect perceived by nurses was associated with higher need for psychological counselling, particularly regarding criticism that nurses perceived from nursing managers (a little: odds ratio [OR], 1.597; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.176–2.170; P = 0.003; moderately: OR, 1.433; 95% CI, 1.180–1.741; P < 0.001) and the difficulty of receiving respect from patients and their families (a little: OR, 1.389; 95% CI, 1.044–1.850; P = 0.024). ConclusionsNurses in China perceive high levels of occupational stress and low levels of respect and often seek psychological counselling.

Technopreneurship Education, Occupational Counselling, and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Innovation and creativity are basic necessities for any functional education like entrepreneurship education which is skill-based. The method of instructional delivery should be technologically inclined where the scientific knowledge will be inculcated in it. Technopreneurship is a process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and competencies for venture creation through technological knowhow. Technology is what makes life easier to live. It is the scientific knowledge used in practical ways to meet and satisfy human needs. Occupational counselling is the guidance and information necessary for all individuals in the world of works for better understanding of self, personality type and acquisition of relevant qualification in relation to entrepreneurship skills, job productivity, satisfaction and overall wellbeing on the work performance. This paper, therefore, focuses on how technology entrepreneurship and occupational counselling can bring sustainable development to entrepreneurs in their business operations in the global market. The paper looked at the concept of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs, technopreneurship, development of entrepreneurship, acquisition of occupational information relevant for building entrepreneurship skills in Nigeria, significance of technology in the operations of modern entrepreneur, roles of technology-based entrepreneurship in economic development, teaching entrepreneurship education using project-based learning method and development of all related psychological characteristics the individual needs for sustainable development. The paper concluded that technopreneur, in order to succeed, needs to be taught technology-based entrepreneurship that encourages creativity and Innovation, the importance of understanding self in relation to job satisfaction and productivity that bring about commercialization and industrialization towards global marketing. The paper recommended, among others, that technology-based entrepreneurship education and occupational counselling should be entrenched into the curriculum right from Basic Schools to Tertiary institutions. It further stated that supports should be given to Tertiary institutions for curriculum overhauling and development of lecturers in form of training and retraining for sustainability.

Competence and professionalisation among return-to-work coordinators in Sweden: comparisons by original profession

ABSTRACT Return-to-work coordinators (RTWC) support people on sickness absence and is a new healthcare occupation in Sweden. Its practitioners represent a variety of professions, there is no common undergraduate training and vague role and competence descriptions. The aim was to explore differences in training and competence according to original professions (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, counselling, and other professions) and coordinators’ views on which professions they believe provide the best competence for the role. All RTWCs (82) in one region were invited to answer a questionnaire (89% response rate). Mixed-methods analyses were applied. The results showed that counselling professions were more likely than other professional groups to have further training, particularly in conversation methods, and a lower proportion of them stated needing more knowledge about gender equality, social problems, insurance/benefit and conversation methods. The analysis of free-text answers identified three competence areas of importance: advice and guidance, a holistic view, and personality over profession. Occupational therapists and social workers were seen as having the best competence for the coordinating role. The results outline some common values, norms and important competences for RTWCs that could help develop the RTW coordination training and pave the way for RTWCs professionalisation process.

Rehabilitation Science Graduate Students’ Attitudes Toward Working With People at Risk For Substance Use Disorders

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To evaluate graduate occupational therapy and counseling students' attitudes toward treating individuals at risk for substance use disorders (SUD) before and after Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment-Plus (SBIRT-Plus), a didactic and standardized patient simulation training. We hypothesized that students' attitudes toward individuals at risk for SUDs would improve after training. <h3>Design</h3> One-group pretest-posttest study design. <h3>Setting</h3> Academic setting. <h3>Participants</h3> Our sample included 90 students from rehabilitation science graduate programs. <h3>Interventions</h3> The SBIRT-Plus training teaches universal screenings for identifying individuals at risk for substance use disorders, providing harm reduction brief interventions, and /or making referrals as necessary. The SBIRT-Plus training includes twelve modules to inform students about alcohol, opioid, and methamphetamine drug use. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> We administered the Alcohol and Alcohol Perceptions Questionnaire (AAPPQ) and the Drug and Drug Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ) pre- and post-training. Each questionnaire includes six subscales: role adequacy, legitimacy, and support (prepared to work with, responsibility to intervene, and support from colleagues), task specific self-esteem (confidence), motivation, and work satisfaction. We compared pre-post scores with SPSS (v.28) software using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with an alpha of .05. <h3>Results</h3> Students' responses on five of six of the AAPPQ and DDPPQ subscales moved in the positive direction, with significant changes in role adequacy, role legitimacy, role support, task self-esteem, and work satisfaction. Students' motivation for working with individuals at risk for alcohol use disorders did not improve (p=.252, AAPPQ); however, motivation for working with individuals at risk for drug use disorders was significantly more positive after training (p=.044, DDPPQ). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our findings demonstrate improved attitudes toward working with people at risk for SUD. This is consistent with prior studies of traditional SBIRT that showed positive improvement on all AAPPQ and DDPPQ subscales, except for the motivation subscale. The current study provides evidence that SBIRT-Plus is effective in increasing rehabilitation science graduate students' positive attitudes toward individuals at risk for a SUD. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> All authors declare no disclosures.

The role of physical arm function and demographic disparities in breast cancer survivors' ability to return to work.

Ability to return to work (RTW) is an important aspect of breast cancer that is limited for many survivors. With 90% survivorship in the USA, it is imperative that focus shifts toward the improvement of physical arm function to improve survivors' ability to RTW. This narrative review discusses the role of physical arm function and demographic disparities in breast cancer survivor RTW. Literature on physical function, arm function, and demographic disparities following breast cancer treatment and their implications for RTW is discussed. The ability to RTW is a key component of recovery for breast cancer survivors, but challenges and inequalities persist. Treatment effects can induce and prolong functional disability, affecting survivors' ability to RTW. These effects may be compounded for survivors whose occupation requires physical arm function. The RTW landscape, including the occupations survivors have, the physical function required for job tasks, and availability of workplace accommodations, is also unclear. Additional demographic disparities (e.g., income, live in rural area) exist, but the extent to which these factors influence RTW is not well understood. More work is needed to understand the compounded impact of treatment effects, demographic disparities, and occupational factors on RTW. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation that includes occupational counseling and exercise is a promising approach, but widespread adoption in the US healthcare model presents an ongoing challenge. Areas for further research are highlighted. There is an incomplete understanding of the effects of treatment on physical arm function and the role of demographic disparities on breast cancer survivor RTW.

The Relationship Of Characteristics And Work Attitude With Low Back Pain Complaints On Nurse Of Regional Public Hospital Petala Bumi Riau Province 2022

Low Back Pain is one of the occupational diseases that often occurs and can hit all people of the same sex age and work, medical facilities especially hospi-tals are defined as the environment in which ergonomics-related activities take place including lifting push pulling and carrying objects and handling patients. This study aims to determine the The Relationship Of Characteristics And Work Attitude With Low Back Pain Complaints On Nurse Of Regional Public Hospital Petala Bumi Riau Province 2022. The research method used is quantitative research with a Cross Sectional research design. The number of samples in this study consist-ed of 59 nurses in the inpatient installation room, ICU and IGD. Sampling using the Total Sampling technique. Data collection using questionnaires, Data analysis uni-variately and bivariately with chi-square test with a confidence level of 95%. The results of the Univariate analysis were 27 (45.8%) respondents who experienced Low Back Pain and there were 32 (54.2%) respondents who did not experience Low Back Pain. The results of the study obtained there were 4 variables related to age with value (P-value = 0.033) with POR = 3.750, gender with value (P-value = 0.034) with POR = 4.472, length of work with (p Value = 0.032) with POR = 3.717, and work attitude with value (P-value = 0.030) with POR = 6.548 and 1 unrelated variable, namely the length of work with the value (P-value = 1,000) with POR = 0.821 with complaints of Low Back Pain. It is recommended to the Petala Bumi Regional Public Hospital, Riau Province, to provide occupational safety and health counseling related to work ergonomics to nurses and direct them to stretch every 5-10 minutes.

A Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Workplace Issues, Authorities and Media, and Relationships Recounted by Oklahoma City Bombing Survivors After Nearly a Quarter Century.

The aim of the study is to examine the long-term course of disaster-related experience among survivors of a terrorist bombing and the long-term recollection of initial workplace effects across nearly a quarter century. From an initial randomly selected sample of highly trauma-exposed survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, 103 participated in qualitative open-ended interviews about their bombing experience approximately 23 years after disaster. The survivors described their bombing experience clearly with extensive detail and expression of persistent strong emotion. Their discussions reflected findings from earlier assessments and also continued over the course of the next decades to complete their stories of the course of their occupational and interpersonal postdisaster journeys. Long-term psychosocial ramifications in these survivors' lives continue to warrant psychosocial interventions, such as occupational and interpersonal counseling.

Influence of Workload, Personality, and Psychological Flexibility on Occupational Stress Among Medical Staff: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis.

ObjectiveDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the occupational stress of medical staff has been a major issue. This study aimed to suggest a new strategy to identify high-risk factor sets of occupational stress in medical staff using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fs-QCA) and provide ideas for the prevention and intervention of occupational stress.MethodsA total of 1,928 medical staff members were surveyed and tested using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised edition (OSI-R), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSC). The fs-QCA was used to explore the high-risk factors for occupational stress among medical staff.ResultsThe psychological strain (PSY) score of the medical staff was 26.8 ± 7.13, and the physical strain (PHS) score was 24.3 ± 6.50. Low psychological flexibility score-introversion-high role overload, introversion-neuroticism-high role overload, and low psychological flexibility score-neuroticism were high-risk factor sets for PSY. Low psychological flexibility score-introversion-high role overload, low psychological flexibility score-introversion-neuroticism, low psychological flexibility score-neuroticism-high role overload, low psychological flexibility score-psychoticism-neuroticism, and psychoticism-neuroticism-high role overload were high-risk factor sets for PHS.ConclusionThere are different combinations of high-risk factors for occupational stress among the medical staff. For occupational stress intervention and psychological counseling, targeted and individualized health intervention measures should be implemented according to specific characteristic combinations of different individuals.

The Genetic Model of the Disease Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Its Potential Treatments – a Review.

“Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva” is genetically very uncommon disease, autosomally inherited, of a connective tissue which is responsible for unusual bone development, where bone should not develop, this condition is called “heterotopic ossification”. This mostly affects in ligament, soft tissues, tendons, muscles and it get converted into hard like bone structure through metamorphosis. The disorder is caused by a single mutation in ACVR1 gene, due to a particular substitution of an amino acid, arginine with a histidine at 206 positions. It’s a congenital disease so its first sign is seen in early childhood. Children with FOP have smaller great toe and abnormal distal first metatarsal. Still there are no evidence of any particular effective treatment for FOP but there are many clinical trials going on. Few drugs mainly corticosteroids for reducing pain and inflammations and patients are given occupational therapies and genetic counselling. Current research includes BMP pathway inhibition, immunosuppressants.

SOSIALISASI K-3 BAGI TEKNISI BENGKEL PENGELASAN SMAW DI KECAMATAN MEDAN TIMUR KOTA MEDAN

Electrode shielded arc welding or better known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is welding using an electric arc as a metal melt heater. An electric arc is formed between the shielded electrode and the base metal. Because of the heat from the electric arc, the base metal and the tip of the electrode melt and freeze together (Wryosumarto, 2004). With the ability of reason, humans are able to use metal as a very vital life aid. Various kinds of machine construction, buildings and others can be created in the presence of metal. The metal raises the need for assembly or joining technology. One such connection technology is by welding (welding). The purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Counseling for SMAW Welding Workshop Operators in Gang Buntu Village, Medan Timur District, Medan City are: So that the welding company makes procedures and rules for occupational health and safety in the workplace. Welding industry companies provide Personal Protective Equipment (ADP) for welding operators. Because the issue of occupational health and safety is very important to get attention because it is directly related to the productivity and efficiency of workers.

Work ability and cognitive impairments in young adult cancer patients: associated factors and changes over time—results from the AYA-Leipzig study

PurposeAlthough young adults represent a significant portion of the working population, little is known about the work ability and cognitive impairments in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients (including the long-term course) following cancer treatment.MethodsAs part of the AYA-Leipzig study, we surveyed AYA cancer survivors (aged 18–39 years at diagnosis; time since diagnosis ≤ 4 years, including all cancer diagnoses) at two time points (t2 = 12 months after t1). Work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI-r) and cognitive impairments (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, COPSOQ) were compared at both time points. We analysed predictors for work ability at, on average, 2 years post cancer diagnosis (t2) by using multivariate regression analyses.ResultsA total of 502 patients (74.7% women) participated in both measurements. Mean work ability increased significantly from t1 (6.0; SD = 2.3) to t2 (6.8; SD = 2.2) (t = −9.3; p < 0.001). As many as 380 (76%) AYA cancer survivors reported reduced work ability at t1; 1 year later, this still applied to 287 (57%) of them. Decreased work ability (t2) was associated with more cognitive impairment, higher effort coping with the disease, comorbidities, sick leave > 6 months (since diagnosis), and having children (adj R2 = .48). Cognitive impairments occurred in approximately every fifth patient at both surveys.ConclusionsAchieving maximum work ability is a major challenge for AYAs. Our results show the need for multimodal cancer survivorship and rehabilitation programmes with a special focus on improving cognitive and psychosocial functioning.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsAYAs with cancer should receive targeted occupational counselling early in the course of the disease.

Return to work after coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement surgery: A scoping review.

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and aortic valve replacement surgery are essential treatment options for people suffering from angina pectoris or aortic valve disease. Surgery aims to prolong life expectancy, improve quality of life, and facilitate participation in society for the individuals afflicted. The aim of this review was to explore the literature on work participation in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement surgery, and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with returning to work. A scoping review framework of Arksey and O'Malley was chosen. Four electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for studies in English, Swedish, Danish or Norwegian between January 1988 and January 2020. A blinded selection of articles was performed. The data were then charted and summarized by descriptive numerical analyses and categorized into themes. Forty-five out of 432 articles were included in the final full-text analysis. Absence from work following coronary artery bypass graft grafting or aortic valve replacement surgery lasted on average 30weeks, whereas 34% of the patients never returned to work. Being female, suffering from pre-existing depression, having limited secondary education, or low income were associated with decreased return to work rates. Previous employment was a decisive factor for returning to work after surgery. Data on return to work after aortic valve replacement were scarce. A significant number of patients never return to work following coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve surgery, and the time interval until work return is longer than expected. Failure to resume work represents a threat to the patients' finances and quality of life. Nurses are in a unique position to assess work-related issues and have an active part in the multi-disciplinary facilitation of tailored occupational counselling after cardiac surgery.

Theoretical Analysis of the Possibility to Incorporate Animal-Assisted Interventions into Psychosocial Service for Elderly People in Geriatric Centers

The article contains a theoretical overview of the bases of animal-assisted interventions within the structure of psychosocial service for elderly people in geriatric centers. It also contains analysis of the main theories that explain the impact of animal-assisted interventions on the emotional state in humans, as well as the opportunities to incorporate such an approach in various types of psychosocial work. The article contains a thorough summary of the recent research papers on the use of animal-assisted interventions in educational and therapeutic work with elderly people in geriatric centers. The conclusion of the theoretical overview is that among the analyzed theories that explain the effect of animal-assisted interventions, the most scientifically grounded is the physiological theory, according to which the human brain produces a range of neurotransmitters that activate pleasurable emotional experience during human-animal interaction. Generally, the review of scientific articles has allowed us to discover the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in various human service fields, including occupational therapy, psychotherapy, counseling, and social service. In this view, there are various skills that can be supported for development when working with elderly people in geriatric centers, such as the following:1. Physical skills, including handling a wheelchair and the body balance.2. Psychological skills, including individual and group communication and interaction, self-esteem, leisure and recreation, attention, decrease of the subjective sense of loneliness, short- and long-term memory.3. Motivation, including interaction with staff members, exercise of goal-making.

Return to Work and Employment Situation of Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Results from the Adolescent and Young Adult-Leipzig Study.

Purpose: Although cancer often impacts work issues in patients, little is known about changes in the employment situation of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: We surveyed AYA cancer patients (18-39 years at diagnosis, diagnosis ≤4 years) using as set of validated self-report measures. By using multivariate and regression analyses, we analyzed employment status prediagnosis (in retrospect) and return to work (RTW) rate about 2 years postcancer diagnosis and related predictors. We compared work-related characteristics (occupational position, weekly working hours, and type of employment contract) at both time points. Cancer-related financial distress (European Organization for Research Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]) was assessed. Results: A total of 505 AYAs (mean age at diagnosis 29.7 years) completed the questionnaire. After an average of 2 years postcancer diagnosis, 83.4% among those being employed at the time of diagnosis (n = 355) had returned to work, 2.8% were on vocational training, 4.5% were unemployed, 4.2% were disabled due to reduced work capacity, and 5.1% were not employed for other reasons. For 158 of 505 AYAs (31.3%), employment status had changed since diagnosis. Significant changes of work-related characteristics were found for the weekly working hours (Matdiagnosis = 35.8; standard deviation [SD] = 7.4; Mt2 = 34.7; SD = 8.2; p = 0.004). Twenty-four percent of the RTW patients and 68% of patients not RTW reported cancer-related financial distress. Patients with comorbid diseases, having hematological cancer or sarcoma, were less likely to RTW. Conclusion: Most AYAs returned to work in the medium term, often by reducing weekly working hours. Since AYAs state significant cancer-related financial distress, even after RTW, it seems particularly relevant to provide financial support and occupational counseling.

Impact of illness perception, mental adjustment, and sociodemographic characteristics on return to work in patients with head and neck cancer

To examine the effects of emotional distress, illness perception, and mental adjustment on return to work (RTW) among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and identify factors associated with RTW. A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted in Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on RTW status and to explore possible factors related to RTW. RTW status was assessed by a single question. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, illness perception was assessed by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and mental adjustment was assessed using the Mini-mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale. Sociodemographic and disease background data were also collected and analyzed. Factors related to RTW were identified by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 150 patients with HNC were recruited into the study. Of them, 58 (38.7%) returned to work after treatment. Compared to those who did not RTW, patients who did RTW had lower levels of emotional distress (anxiety and depression), better illness perception (cognitive illness representations and illness comprehensibility), and better mental adjustment (hopelessness and helplessness, anxious preoccupation, avoidance, and fatalism). Multivariable analysis indicated that anxiety (OR = 0.863, p < 0.05), avoidance (OR = 1.280, p < 0.001), cognitive illness representations (OR = 0.891, p < 0.01), illness comprehensibility (OR = 1.271, p < 0.05), higher education level (OR = 3.048-3.609, p < 0.05), married status (OR = 5.220, p < 0.05), tumor site in oral cavity (OR = 5.057, p < 0.05), and no reconstruction (OR = 3.415, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with RTW. The issue of RTW among patients with HNC is related to multidimensional factors, including sociodemographic, psychological, and disease-related situations. We suggest that programs for emotional rehabilitation and occupational counseling need to be developed to assist patients with HNC to RTW at an early stage.