Receiving Workplace Mental Health Accommodations and the Outcome of Mental Disorders in Employees With a Depressive and/or Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between receiving workplace accommodations and the 1-year risk of mood/anxiety disorders. METHODS: A general population sample of employees in Alberta, Canada, with a prior or current mental disorder (N = 715) was observed for 1 year. Mental disorders were determined on the basis of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th revision, criteria. RESULTS: In participants who needed but did not receive any accommodations, 30.8% had a mood/anxiety disorder 1 year later. Receiving needed accommodations was associated with a lowered risk of 24.5%. Logistic regression showed that the percentage of having accommodation needs met was significantly associated with the risk of a mental disorder 1 year later (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% confidence interval = 0.11 to 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Receiving needed accommodations was associated with better outcomes for mental disorders. Studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of specific accommodations for enhancing the prognosis of mood/anxiety disorders.