Changes in mental health as a predictor of changes in working time arrangements and occupational mobility: Results from a prospective cohort study

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to gain insight into a possible causal relationship between mental health and characteristics of the work situation. Methods: Using longitudinal data from the Maastricht Cohort Study, this study examines whether deterioration in mental health (prolonged fatigue, need for recovery, and psychological distress) results in a Subsequent change in working time arrangements (assessed by means of logistic regression analysis) or Occupational mobility (assessed by means of Cox regression analysis), Results: Compared to employees not experiencing a deterioration in mental health, employees who became a prolonged fatigue case were more likely to reduce their working hours (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.42-4.35) and leave a shift work job (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.428.38). Employees who became a need for recovery case were more likely to reduce their working hours (OR 2.83 95% CI 1.53-5.26) or change jobs within the company (RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.07-1.61). Employees who became a psychological distress case were more likely to change jobs within the company (RR 1.38 95% CI 1.16-1.65) or to change jobs from one employer to another (RR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03-2.03). Conclusion: The results Of this study provide evidence for a possible CM]Sal relationship between deterioration in mental health and Subsequent change in working time arrangements or occupational mobility. These results suggest that workers adapt to the onset of a mental health problem by reducing their working hours, by leaving a shift work job, by changing jobs within the company, or by changing jobs from one employer to another. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.