Factors related to the recurrence of sickness absence due to common mental health disorders: a systematic review

Employees who experience sickness absence (SA) due to common mental disorders (CMD) are at increased risk of recurrent sickness absence (RSA). In a systematic literature review we examined the factors at different levels in the work and non-work context that increase or decrease the likelihood of RSA due to CMD.

The resulting knowledge enables more accurate identification of employees at risk of RSA. The research question was: ‘in the existing academic literature, which stimulating and impeding factors related to recurrent sickness absence of employees with common mental disorders can be distinguished on a personal, social and work-related level?’ Nineteen quantitative and one qualitative studies of mainly high and some moderate quality were included in this review.