Occupational performance problems in people with depression and anxiety

Figures & data

Table 1. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants with depression and/or anxiety disorders (N = 118).

Characteristics	n (%)
Sex
Men	20 (16.9)
Women	98 (83.1)
Age (years), Mean (SD)	42 (11.8)
Min-Max (Range)	19–64 (45)
Living with someone	75 (63.5)
Have children ≤ 18 years	41 (34.7)
Educational level:
University	35 (29.7)
Secondary school	58 (49.2)
Compulsory school	22 (18.6)
No compulsory school	3 (2.5)
Main occupation:
Employed/Student	39 (29.7)
Unemployed	10 (8.5)
Other (parental leave, retired)	2 (1.6)
Sick leave (including 3 who were in work training)	67 (56.8)
Problem:
Diagnosis depressive	80 (67.8)
disorders (F31–38)
Self-rated depression*
No depression (0–7)	18 (22.5)
Doubtful cases (8–10)	22 (27.5)
Definite cases (11–21)	40 (50.0)
Diagnosis anxiety disorders (F40–49)	38 (32.2)
Self-rated anxiety*
No anxiety (0–7)	2 (5.3)
Doubtful cases (8–10)	6 (15.8)
Definite cases (11–21)	30 (78.9)
Medication for:
Insomnia	54 (46.2)
Depressive symptoms	84 (72.4)
Anxiety symptoms	1 (35.6)

*Self-rated symptoms of depression and anxiety, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) according to Zigmond and Snaith [33].

Table 2. Occupational performance problems per area and sub area.

Area n problems (%)	Sub area n problems (%)	Occupational performance problems	N
Self-care 212 (28)	Personal care 100 (13)	Taking care of the body	75
		Getting started with daily occupations	16
		Winding down during the day and night	9
	Functional mobility 20 (3)	Moving the body	15
		Standing still	5
	Community management 92 (12)	Occupational performance in a social context	54
		Managing the household economy and administration	22
		Leaving home	9
		Driving a car
Productivity 263 (34)	Paid/unpaid work 92 (12)	Working in the present job situation	50
		Seeking a job or another job	42
	Household management 151 (20)	Take care of the home and belongings	95
		Cooking meals	40
		Doing what is desired with/for the children	12
		Daily routines within household management	4
	Play/school 20 (3)	Studying	11
		Engaging in pleasurable occupations	5
		Starting an education
Leisure 287 (38)	Quiet recreation 88 (12)	Performing quiet recreation	80
		Not having a meaningful quiet recreation	6
		Doing too much quiet recreation	2
	Active recreation 93 (12)	Performing physical recreation	40
		Engaging in active recreation in general	24
		Going on trips	18
		Taking care of pets	7
		Participating in courses and cultural activities	4
	Socialization 106 (14)	Participating in a social context	83
		Maintaining contact with family/friends	20
		Maintaining a balance between being in a social context and being alone	3

Table 3. The ratings of performance of everyday occupations and satisfaction with the occupational performance.

Areas	Number of prioritized problems	Number of participants rating	Performance Mean (SD)	Satisfaction with performance Mean (SD)
In total	553	118	3.8 (2.3)	2.9 (2.4)
Self-care
Personal care	68	55	4.8 (2.4)	3.4 (2.9)
Functional mobility	10	9	2.9 (1.7)	1.9 (1.1)
Community management	68	56	3.9 (2.2)	3.0 (2.5)
Productivity
Paid/unpaid work	74	67	3.2 (2.6)	2.4 (2.2)
Household management	97	76	4.0 (2.2)	3.4 (2.5)
Play/school	15	13	3.3 (1.8)	2.0 (1.1)
Leisure
Quiet recreation	51	47	3.4 (2.3)	3.1 (2.4)
Active recreation	77	72	3.6 (2.3)	2.7 (2.2)
Socialization	93	88	3.8 (1.8)	2.8 (2.0)

Zigmond AS, Snaith RP. The hospital anxiety and depression scale. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1983;67:361–370.

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