The impact of psychiatric disorders on employment: Results from a national survey (NESARC)

Inger Burnett-Zeigler*, Mark A. Ilgen, Kipling Bohnert, Erin Miller, Khairul Islam, Kara Zivin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study we examine the longitudinal effects of psychiatric and substance use disorders on employment, in an employed population. The sample included respondents to the National epidemiologic survey on alcohol related conditions (NESARC) who were employed at Wave 1 (N = 22,407). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted examining the associations between 12-month and new onset 12-month psychiatric diagnoses at Wave 1 and employment status at Wave 2. Past year and new onset 12-month depression, 12-month bipolar, new onset 12-month drug abuse, and 12-month and new onset 12-month drug dependence were associated with a decreased odds of being employed at Wave 2. This study suggests that it would be beneficial for employers to support their employees in participating in mental health treatment. Additionally, understanding how psychiatric disorders influence employment over the life course might inform the development of preemptive interventions to treat mental health symptoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)303-310
Number of pages8
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2013

Funding

Acknowledgments This work was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Academic Affiliations, Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment; The Veterans Administration Health Services Research and Development Career Development Award (CD2 07-206-1); The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Service Grant (IAC 08-099); and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Grant to (1R21DA026925). This funding was in the form of health system evaluation funds and of a career development award and did not directly shape the design or conduct of this specific study. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the VA.

Keywords

  • Employment
  • Longitudinal
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Substance use disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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