Self-assessed Mental Health Research Articles

Perceived mental health skills and competence among occupational health physicians.

Mental-health-based consultations in occupational health (OH) are increasing due to ongoing changes in working life. We studied the self-assessed mental health competence of trainees and trainers in OH specialist physician training. We conducted an online survey from June to August 2022. We analysed how trainees and trainers in OH assessed their own competence in mental health practice with N (%) and means (standard deviation [SD]). We analysed the underlying assumptions about competences specific to OH using an explanatory factor analysis. We applied the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine differences between trainees and trainers using the variables in the factor analysis. Respondents' perceptions of mental health competence were more positive among trainers (mean 3.97, SD 0.72) than trainees (mean 3.66, SD 1.08, P = 0.2123). Based on trainee physicians' own assessments, more experience increases competence, until after 7 years, when the perceived competence seems to decrease. The trainer physicians' self-assessed mental health competence decreased over time. With factor analyses, we identified five competence factors: general mental health, workplace risks and resources, rehabilitation, promotion and prevention, and special skills. In our results, individual-level mental health competences such as work ability evaluation and to manage return-to-work processes were evaluated better than community-based proactive processes. Physicians in OH specialist physician training self-assessed their mental health competence better at the employee level than at the workplace level. Based on our results, we need to develop the curriculum of OH specialist physician training to meet the needs of working life in support of mental health.

Household Toilet and Sanitation Insecurity is Associated With Urinary Symptoms, Psychosocial Burden, and Compensatory Bladder Behaviors

ObjectivesTo investigate whether being “at-risk” for toilet and sanitation insecurity in the United States is associated with urinary symptoms, voiding behaviors, and psychosocial burden. Based on census data, nearly 2 million people in the United States do not have access to adequate plumbing. More may have inconsistent access related to cost, inadequate facilities for the number of people in a home, or declining regional infrastructure. The effects of inadequate access in the United States are poorly characterized. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a community-based sample of adults electronically recruited to complete questionnaires on clinical and sociodemographic information, living situations, home toilets and plumbing, urinary symptoms, compensatory bladder behaviors, and psychosocial burden. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for associations between being at-risk for toilet and sanitation insecurity and urinary and psychosocial symptoms. Linear regression was used to assess for association with adopting compensatory bladder behaviors. ResultsThis sample included 4,218 participants, of whom 17% were identified as being at-risk for toilet and sanitation insecurity. Being at-risk for toilet and sanitation insecurity was associated with worse overall urinary symptoms and greater bother from these symptoms, in addition to worse self-assessed mental and physical health, anxiety, stress, depression, and fewer social supports. Finally, those at-risk for toilet and sanitation insecurity were more likely to adopt burdensome and unhealthy compensatory bladder behaviors. ConclusionsAs with other social determinants of health, toilet and sanitation insecurity may be an under-appreciated contributor to urinary symptoms, unhealthy toileting behaviors, and psychosocial distress.

Exploring the Educational Potential of Online Platforms in Adolescent Physical and Mental Health Promotion

This study is dedicated to evaluating the effectiveness of online platforms in the educational application of adolescent mental health. Using clustering algorithms, C4.5 decision trees, and item-based collaborative filtering techniques, this paper explores strategies for constructing mental health portraits and recommending educational videos. The results show that these techniques enable online platforms to accurately identify students’ mental states and provide customized educational content. In a three-month experiment, the platform effectively enhanced the psychological state of adolescents through mental health education. After use, students’ self-assessed mental health increased by 15\% and showed significant improvement in coping with stress and adapting to new environments. The study shows that the online education platform has a significant facilitating role in the field of adolescent mental health education and can provide effective mental health support for adolescents.

Intergenerational reproduction and self-assessed mental health in adulthood in China

Physical and mental health disparities by socioeconomic status in China are well documented but the effects of the intergenerational reproduction in socioeconomic status on adult mental health have received little attention to date. We utilized cross-sectional data from the 2017 Chinese General Social Survey to examine the significance of intergenerational socioeconomic reproduction for differences in self-assessed mental health in a national sample of Chinese adults between the ages of 23 and 65. We documented substantial elasticities between the socioeconomic status of the survey respondents and their parents: father's education, mother's education and childhood social class were all associated with both respondent education and respondent household income. We also found that associations between parental socioeconomic status and their adult children's self-assessed mental health were partly explained by the children's own socioeconomic status. However, these pathways were noticeably moderated by age cohort. Among younger people, associations between parental socioeconomic status and mental health were mostly explained by educational attainment whereas among older people associations between parental socioeconomic status and mental health were mostly explained by household income. In general, parental socioeconomic status appear to have a greater influence on the mental health of people who grew up after the Chinese economic reform of the 1970s.

Research on the Evaluation and Enhancement Strategies of College Students’ Health Human Capital in “Healthy Hunan” under the Background of Big Data

Abstract This paper precisely explores the structure and characteristics of college students’ healthy human capital and its influencing factors. It aims to enhance students’ positive and healthy mindset and promote optimism in life and learning. A solid analytical framework is constructed by sorting out the ordered multicategorical logistic regression model and parameter estimation methods and the application steps of the propensity score matching model. College students from ten colleges and universities in Hunan Province were selected as research subjects, and a questionnaire was designed to assess their healthy human capital. The specific factors affecting college students’ healthy human capital accumulation were analyzed in depth through the probability density analysis of propensity score matching, standard support hypothesis testing, and the parallel line test and regression results of the ordered multicategorical regression model. The findings show that the curves of the experimental and control groups after propensity score matching almost overlap in the [0.2,0.4] interval, indicating the method’s validity. A more important finding is that the number of college students with poor self-assessed physical health is 8.063 times higher than that of college students with self-assessed mental health as good, which emphasizes the significant impact of mental health on healthy human capital. Therefore, to effectively improve the health human capital of college students, students, families and universities must form a linkage mechanism and work together to cultivate college students’ health awareness.

Subjective assessment of occupational stress and mental health of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic period

IntroductionHealth status, sickness absence, and nurses’ attrition have a direct impact on the quality of care provided and patients’ health outcomes. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated issues that existed within the Polish healthcare system prior to the pandemic, including staff shortages, low wages, and system inadequacies. The aim of this study was to investigate how nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic period rated the burdensomeness of job characteristics and their mental health status, as well as the correlations between factors directly caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and nurses’ subjective assessments of job characteristics and mental health.MethodThe cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2022, in Poland and involved 796 registered nurses working in hospitals.ResultsDespite the pandemic’s sweeping societal effects, this research finds limited alteration in nurses’ perceptions of job stress and self-assessed mental health. Factors such as contact with infected patients, quarantine, and isolation do not appear to substantially modify mental health perceptions among nurses. Intriguingly, nurses subjected to COVID-19 testing report heightened stress and compromised mental health.ConclusionThe interplay of diverse factors influencing the well-being of nurses is intricately complex. It is advisable to prudently execute interventions and strategies to address the pandemic, aiming to alleviate its potential adverse effects on the mental health of nurses.

Autonomic function and inflammation in pregnant women participating in a randomized controlled study of Mindfulness Based Childbirth and Parenting

BackgroundPregnancy and childbirth are significant events in many women’s lives, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms increases during this vulnerable period. Apart from well documented cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms, stress and depression are associated with physiological changes, such as reduced heart-rate variability (HRV) and activation of the inflammatory response system. Mindfulness Based Interventions may potentially have an effect on both HRV, inflammatory biomarkers, and self-assessed mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a Mindfulness Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) intervention on HRV, serum inflammatory marker levels, through an RCT study design with an active control group.MethodsThis study is a sub-study of a larger RCT, where significant intervention effects were found on perinatal depression (PND) and perceived stress. Participants were recruited through eight maternity health clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. In this sub-study, we included altogether 80 women with increased risk for PND, and blood samples and HRV measures were available from 60 of the participants (26 in the intervention and 34 in the control group).ResultsParticipants who received MBCP reported a significantly larger reduction in perceived stress and a significantly larger increase in mindfulness, compared to participants who received the active control treatment. However, in this sub-study, the intervention had no significant effect on PND, inflammatory serum markers or measures of HRV.ConclusionsNo significant differences were found regarding changes in HRV measures and biomarkers of inflammation, larger studies may be needed in the future.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02441595. Registered 12 May 2015 - Retrospectively registered.

Heatwave and mental health

Physical health has been associated with ambient temperature and heatwave. With the frequent occurrence of heatwave, the adaptive effects and mechanisms on mental health remain uncertain. On the basis of the China Health and Nutrition Survey, we estimated the relationship between heatwaves and self-assessed mental health scores in the Chinese population aged 50 and above. This study has identified that with each additional heatwave event, mental health scores decreased by an average of 0.027 points, which is equivalent to 0.3% of the average level. Heat is more likely to affect groups with low education, no medical insurance, and living in rural areas. In mechanistic exploration, we found that stress emotion is a fully mediating effect. Heat led to reduced health activities and more frequent drinking, which may lead to lower psychological well-being. Moreover, good dietary preference is a regulator that can help mitigate the adverse effects of heat on mental health. This study corroborates the impact of heat on spiritual welfare, and demonstrates the mechanisms and channels of impact, which can help reduce global economic losses due to mental health problems.

The Well-Being of Primary School Teachers during COVID-19.

This study examines the self-rated health and well-being of Icelandic teachers just before and over a year after COVID-19 first appeared. We ask, what was the stress level in 2021 compared to 2019 and the impact of mental and physical health and health symptoms on perceived stress? Were there any changes in self-assessed mental and physical health? Were there any changes in self-assessed mental and physical health symptoms? The study is based on an online survey conducted in 2019 and 2021. A total of 920 primary school teachers answered the questionnaire in part or in full, after three reminders. The main findings show increased stress, worsening mental and physical health, and increasing mental and physical symptoms in 2021 compared to 2019. The results also show a higher percentage of women than men reporting high stress, with women scoring higher on the PSS scale, but the gender patterns for mental and physical health are less clear. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative consequences on the health and well-being of the teachers. The study demonstrates the importance of school authorities keeping an exceptionally watchful eye on the welfare and well-being of teachers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between state Medicaid expansion status and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveTo assess post‐COVID‐19 changes in insurance coverage, health behaviors, and self‐assessed health among low‐income, non‐elderly adults by state Medicaid expansion status.Data SourcesWe used nationally representative survey data from the 2016 through 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The sample was restricted to adults aged 19–64 with household income below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (N = 179,135).Study DesignWe examined a broad set of outcomes related to coverage, health behaviors, and self‐assessed health available in the BRFSS. We used a difference‐in‐differences model to compare changes in outcomes for individuals living in the 35 states and DC that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to those in the 15 non‐expansion states before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic commenced in March 2020.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsN/A.Principal FindingsWe found that the expansions provided some protection for low‐income people during the pandemic. In 2020, relative to earlier years, people in expansion states were more likely to report very good or excellent health (4.9 percentage points, 95%CI = 0.022, 0.076; p < 0.01) and physical health (−0.393 days of poor physical health in the past month, 95%CI = −0.714, −0.072; p < 0.05), lower rates of smoking (−1.9 percentage points, 95%CI = −0.041, 0.004; p < 0.10) and heavy drinking (−1.4 percentage points, 95%CI = −0.025, −0.004; p < 0.01), and higher flu vaccination rates (2.8 percentage points, 95%CI = 0.005, 0.051; p < 0.05) than those in non‐expansion states. These benefits were particularly salient for Black and Hispanic individuals. We found no significant differences in insurance coverage, exercise, obesity, and self‐assessed mental health between expansion and non‐expansion states for the overall low‐income sample. However, the expansion was associated with greater insurance coverage for Hispanic adults during the pandemic.ConclusionsInvestments in public health through expanding Medicaid may shield low‐income populations from some of the health ramifications of public health emergencies.

Long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation after heart valve surgery - results from the randomised CopenHeartVR trial

Aims . The CopenHeartVR trial found positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on physical capacity at 4 months. The long-term effects of CR following valve surgery remains unclear, especially regarding readmission and mortality. Using data from he CopenHeartVR Trial we investigated long-term effects on physical capacity, mental and physical health and effect on mortality and readmission rates as prespecified in the original protocol. Methods. A total of 147 participants were included after heart valve surgery and randomly allocated 1:1 to 12-weeks exercise-based CR including a psycho-educational programme (intervention group) or control. Physical capacity was assessed as peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing, mental and physical health by Short Form-36 questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and HeartQol. Mortality and readmission were obtained from hospital records and registers. Groups were compared using mixed regression model analysis and log rank test. Results. No differences in VO2 peak at 12 months or in self-assessed mental and physical health at 24 months (68% vs 75%, p = .120) was found. However, our data demonstrated reduction in readmissions in the intervention group at intermediate time points; after 3, 6 (43% vs 59%, p = .03), and 12 (53% vs 67%, p = .04) months, respectively, but no significant effect at 24 months. Conclusions . Exercise-based CR after heart valve surgery reduces combined readmissions and mortality up to 12 months despite lack of improvement in exercise capacity, physical and mental health long-term. Exercise-based CR can ensure short-term benefits in terms of physical capacity, and lower readmission within a year, but more research is needed to sustain these effects over a longer time period. These considerations should be included in the management of patients after heart valve surgery.

Association of outdoor artificial light at night with mental health among China adults: a prospective ecology study.

Multiple environmental changes are related to mental disorders. However, research on the association between artificial light at night (ALAN) and mental health in China is limited, particularly at the national level. We used a "difference-in-differences" design and logistic regression to explore the relationship between ALAN changes and scores on self-assessed mental health. Participants were drawn from the China Family Panel Studies of adults in 2012 and 2018. The final analysis was based on 21,036 adults from 25 provinces throughout China. The brighter the ALAN, the worse was the mental health, and this connection was unaffected by particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) or temperature. ALAN sensitivity may differ among populations. Our findings suggest that exposure to brighter ALAN is associated significantly with worse mental health among Chinese adults. Environmental policies that reduce ALAN could improve the mental health of the Chinese public.

Transition from Military Service: Mental Health and Well-being Among Service Members and Veterans with Service-connected Disabilities

Transitioning from military service is stressful for veterans with service-connected disabilities seeking civilian employment. This descriptive study examined self-assessed mental health, well-being, and substance use of men and women shortly before or after transition from US military service, compared to norms from community and military samples. As part of a prospective study evaluating an innovative employment program, researchers interviewed 229 current and former service members with service-connected disabilities transitioning from U.S. military service. Compared to published norms, respondents reported significantly poorer outcomes on 5 of 6 standardized measures, indicating less life satisfaction, poorer mental health, more symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, and greater financial distress. In the previous year, 42% were prescribed opioid medications, over twice the annual opioid prescription rate of 19% in the general US population. Systematic strategies are needed to ensure access for transitioning veterans with serious behavioral health issues to appropriate evidence-based practices.

Microaggressions and Health Outcomes among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Bisexual Women

This study assessed the relationship between microaggressions and health outcomes among bisexual women. Participants came from the Women’s Daily Experiences Study, a mixed method study of bisexual women recruited in Chicago (N = 112). Using cross-sectional data, we tested bivariate and multivariate associations of lifetime and past year sexual orientation microaggressions with depression, anxiety, self-assessed mental and physical health, and substance use. We also tested relationships between intersectional microaggressions, related to racial and sexual minority identities, and health outcomes among a sub-sample of women of color (n = 64). The majority of participants reported experiences of microaggressions in their lifetime and in the past year. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between lifetime and past year sexual orientation microaggressions, mental health and substance use. Among bisexual women of color, intersectional microaggressions were significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and poorer self-assessed mental health. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Mental Health and the Symptoms of PTSD in People with Depression and Anxiety Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of this study was to examine the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic in people with no diagnosis of mental illness, as well as in people who were diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Moreover, this study aimed to investigate the interplay between PTSD symptoms and self-assessed mental health associated with well-being. The 210 participants were divided into 3 groups: mentally healthy, participants with diagnosed depression, and participants with anxiety disorders. To evaluate the subjective well-being of the participants, the Polish adaptation of the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC–SF) was applied. The Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to measure the severity of PTSD symptoms. At least a moderate worsening of PTSD symptoms was observed in participants of all groups. The results were as follows: healthy participants M = 37.35 (SD = 18.46); participants with depression M = 36.05 (SD = 18.02); participants with anxiety M = 44.52 (SD = 18.08). The participants diagnosed with depression showed the lowest level of mental well-being M = 41.58 (SD = 15.02). Conclusion: People diagnosed with depression had both the lowest level of well-being and the lowest severity of symptoms specific to PTSD. In all three groups, lower emotional well-being was linked to greater PTSD symptoms.

Association of self-perceived income status with psychological distress and subjective well-being: a cross-sectional study among older adults in India

BackgroundAs the older population aged 65 and over worldwide, is estimated to increase from 9% in 2019 to 16% in 2050, rapid aging will transform the aspects such as economic security, employment status, and family structure. The effects of lower levels of perceived income and poor socioeconomic status on the mental health of older adults appear to be large and enduring. Therefore, the present study contributes to the literature on understanding the association of socioeconomic conditions and self-perceived income status in particular, with self-assessed mental health outcomes (psychological distress and subjective well-being) among older adults in India.MethodsData for the present study was derived from the Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing (BKPAI) in India. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and outcome variables.ResultsAbout 43% of older adults had no income whereas 7% had income but perceived as not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Nearly, 9% of older adults were retired from regular employment. Almost 70% older adults had received no pension and nearly 18% of older adults had no asset ownership. It is revealed that older adults with income that is partially sufficient to fulfil their basic needs were 2.23 times [OR: 2.23, CI: 1.75–2.84] and 1.96 times [OR: 1.96, CI: 1.55–2.47] significantly more likely to suffer from psychological distress and low subjective well-being than those who had income which was sufficient to fulfil their basic needs.ConclusionsBy focusing on four target areas such as the income support, education, family oriented initiatives and local or regional policies, the current framework for assessing the mental health among older adults in India can be modified. A move towards a guaranteed pension for eligible older individuals by which they do not have to remain as a financial burden on their children, may reduce their self-perceived economic distress and result in higher levels of wellbeing in older ages. Also, strategies to address socioeconomic disadvantages and gender differentials related to mental health status among older population are urgently needed.

A multilevel mixed effects analysis of informal carers health in Australia: the role of community participation, social support and trust at small area level

BackgroundInformal carers suffer from worse health outcomes than non-carers due to their caregiving role. Yet, in a society carers health is as important as that of their care recipients. This study investigated the self-assessed mental and general health outcomes of informal carers in Australia. It evaluated the influence of carers’ personal social capital- a logically linked sequence of their social behaviour such as community participation, social support and trust in others- on their health outcomes. The study estimated the magnitude of small area level variation at Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) along with individual level variation in carers’ health outcomes.MethodsThe study used a multilevel mixed effects cross-sectional design using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia survey, wave 14. It included Australians aged 15 years and older that were surveyed in the year 2014. The sample consisted of 12,767 individuals and 5004 SA1s. The outcome measures included- mental health, general health and physical functioning, domains of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire, a widely used multi-dimensional measure of health-related quality of life.ResultsInformal carers suffered from poor mental (Beta = − 0.587, p = 0.003) and general health (Beta = − 0.670, p = 0.001) outcomes compared to non-carers in Australia. These health outcomes exhibited significant variation acrossSA1s in Australia, with 12–13% variation in general and mental health. However, within small local areas, differences at the individual level, accounted for most of the variation in outcomes. Moreover, levels of community participation, personal social connection and trust, as perceived by individuals in the communities, had a positive influence on both mental and general health of carers and non-carers, and were more beneficial for carers compared to non-carers.ConclusionIt seems that the positive influence of social capital for carers helps them in coping with the negative impact of their caregiving duty on health outcomes. Findings suggested that some targeted community support programs for carers to build on their personal social cohesion and trust in their community could help in improving their poor health profiles. Moreover, improved informal carers’ health may help the health system in better managing their resources.

Character Strengths Involving an Orientation to Promote Good Can Help Your Health and Well-Being. Evidence From two Longitudinal Studies.

Purpose:We examined the impact of an orientation to promote good—one aspect of strengths of character, understood as having consistent thoughts and taking actions that contribute to the good of oneself and others—on flourishing outcomes.Design:We used data from 2 longitudinal observational studies. The primary study used 2 waves of data collected in June 2018 and July 2019. The secondary study used 3 waves of data collected in February 2017, March 2018, and March 2019.Setting:Two culturally different populations of adults were examined: (1) a large service organization based in the United States and (2) a Mexican apparel company in the supply chain of a major global brand.Subjects:1,209 U.S. employees and 495 Mexican apparel workers were included in the study.Measures:Self-reports of orientation to promote good, Well-Being Assessment, Flourishing Index, the CDC Health-Related Quality of Life and the Job-Related Affective Well-Being Scale were used.Analysis:An outcome-wide approach and lagged regression analyses were applied. To combine the estimates across samples meta-analytic estimates were computed. Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple testing. Robustness of the results to potential unmeasured confounding was examined using E-values.Results:Orientation to promote good was positively associated with subsequently higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.19), self-assessed mental health (β = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.15) and physical health (β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.12), social connectedness (β = 0.102, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.15) and purpose in life (β = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.11). It was also associated with decreased anxiety (β = -0.11, 95% CI: -0.17, -0.06), depression (β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.1, -0.02) and loneliness (β = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.04). Possible effects on both positive affect (feeling happy) and negative affect (feeling sad, stressed and lonely) in general and while-at-work were also identified.Conclusions:Policymakers and practitioners should consider orientation to promote good as an important factor for improving population health and human flourishing while also at work.

"It just feels right": Perceptions of the effects of community connectedness among trans individuals.

Trans individuals (e.g. trans men and women, non-binary, gender fluid) are at higher risk for mental health concerns, in part due to marginalization. Previous work has documented the effects of social support and community engagement on health outcomes. However, individuals' perceptions of community engagement effects may point to opportunities for intervention. This mixed methods study examines trans individuals' perceived effects of participating in trans communities on health outcomes. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with 20 individuals, and 60 individuals participated in cross-sectional online surveys. Perceived discrimination had a strong negative association with self-assessed mental health. Effects of participation included a) positive: contextualization and normalization of experience, self-appraisal, safety, and relief; and b) neutral/negative: energy drain and stigmatization. Effects of not participating included loneliness, depression, isolation, hiding identity, and losing resources. Both discrimination and non-participation in trans communities had negative effects on mental health. Though community participation is often discussed as positive for marginalized populations, it may be important to include possible negative effects (such as energy drain) in research.

Employment Status and Associations with Workability, Quality of Life and Mental Health after Kidney Transplantation in Austria.

Kidney transplantation (KTx) in end-stage renal disease is associated with a significant increase in quality of life (QoL) and self-perceived health, optimally leading to the maintenance of employment or return to work (RTW) in working-age patients. The aim of this study was to assess individual factors including the QoL and mental health of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) associated with employment after transplantation. A cross-sectional study including working-age patients with a history of KTx after 2012 was conducted at two Austrian study centers (Vienna and Graz). Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) and Workability Index (WAI) were assessed along with detailed questionnaires on employment status. Out of n = 139 KTRs (43.2 ± 9.07 years; 57.6% male), 72 (51.8%) were employed. Employed patients were more frequently in a partnership (p = 0.018) and had higher education levels (p = 0.01) and QoL scores (<0.001). Unemployed KTRs reported fatigue and mental health issues more often (p < 0.001), and had significantly higher anxiety, depression and somatization scores (BSI-18). In unadjusted logistical regression, workability score (WAS; odds ratio (OR) = 3.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.97–5.82; p < 0.001), partnership (OR = 5.47; 95% CI 1.43–20.91; p = 0.013) and no psychological counseling after KTx (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.003–0.969; p = 0.048) were independently associated with employment. Self-assessed mental health, workability and QoL were significantly associated with employment status after KTx. Thus, in order to facilitate RTW after KTx in Austria, vocational rehabilitation and RTW programs addressing KTRs should focus on increasing social support and care for their mental health.