Introduction / Rationale: Workplace accommodations (WA) have gained importance in return-to-work (RTW) support, particularly for individuals with severe mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research into mood disorders and stress-related disorders. This study aimed to examine (a) the association between functional limitations and WA and (b) the impact of functional limitations and WA on continued employment in individuals with mood and stress-related disorders. This study has been approved by the ethics committee of our university.
Objectives: The study included 42 participants (32 male, 10 female, mean age 39.1 years) diagnosed with depression (n=13), bipolar disorder (n=6), or adjustment disorder (n=23) who completed an RTW intervention and discussed WA with their workplace before returning.
Methods / Approach: Functional limitations were assessed using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for vocational rehabilitation (VR). WA was categorized into communication facilitation (CF), scheduling flexibility (SF), job modification (JM), and physical space adjustments (PS) based on Zafar (2019). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between functional limitations and WA, while multiple logistic regression examined the impact on continued employment with functional limitations and WA as the independent variable.
Results / Practice Implications: ICF activity and participation(r=0.325, p=0.036), and environmental (r=-0.391, p=0.01) factors showed a significant correlation with JM. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified environmental factors as influencing employment continuity(OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.541-0.985).
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: The greater the restrictions on activities, participation, and environmental factors, the greater the need for JM. The findings highlight the importance of environmental adjustments in supporting sustained employment after RTW for individuals with mood and stress-related disorders.