• Khic-Houy Prang, Megan Bohensky, Peter Smith, and Alex Collie.
• Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: khic-houy.prang@monash.edu.
• Injury. 2016 Jan 1; 47 (1): 257-65.

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to describe predictors of sustained return to work (RTW) among a cohort of workers with compensated work-related mental health conditions (MHCs); and to examine predictors of subsequent absences due to the same condition.MethodsThis study was a retrospective analysis of compensation claims data in Victoria, Australia. We selected workers with an accepted wage replacement claim due to a work-related MHC from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2009, with two years of follow-up data.ResultsWe identified 8358 workers meeting our inclusion criteria. The median age of workers was 44 years (Interquartile range (IQR): 36-51) and 56% were female. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, older age, being from a small organisation, working in some specific industry segments, consulting a psychiatrist or psychologist, using medications, and having a previous claim were all associated with a delayed RTW. Workers experiencing work pressure, assault/workplace violence or other mental stress factors, working in the public administration and safety industry and having a medical incapacity certification between 3-4 days and 5-7 days had a higher rate of multiple RTW attempts.ConclusionThis study identified a number of risk factors associated with a delayed RTW and multiple attempts at RTW. Predictors may help identify high-risk groups and facilitate the RTW process of workers with MHCs.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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