Negative work perception not changed in a short work-anxiety-coping group therapy intervention

Abstract

Background: Work anxiety is often associated with long-term sick leave and requires early intervention. Work anxieties are associated with negative work perception. Therefore, one aim in early intervention is a cognitive reframing of dysfunctional perceptions of workplace characteristics.

Methods: A psychotherapeutic specialist conducted two group programs of four sessions each. One hundred twenty-three rehabilitation in-patients with work anxieties were randomly assigned either to a work anxiety-coping group or to a recreational group. The Short Questionnaire for Work Analysis (KFZA) was administered before and after the group treatment to measure perceptions of working conditions.

Results: Participants from the work anxiety-coping group did not see their work in a significantly more positive light at the end of the intervention compared to participants from the recreational group.

Conclusions: A short work anxiety-coping group did not initiate a consistent positive re-appraisal of work. Employers and occupational physicians should not expect positive changes of work perception when an employee returns from short medical rehabilitation including work-directed treatment. Additional support from the workplace must be considered, e.g. employer–physician–employee conversation preceding return to work, or (temporary) work adjustment.

Keywords:

• Workplace
• Mental health
• Anxiety
• Sick leave
• Work-oriented interventions
• Work perception
• Return to work
• Mental disorders

Notes

¹ The data reported here are derived from the first cohort of participants in this therapy study. These patients were investigated concerning work perception with the KFZA. Data were collected from May 2012 to June 2013. A later cohort (reported in Muschalla et al. 2016⁷) was investigated concerning work-coping.

² The work-anxiety-coping-therapy manual is available from the author.