New Data from Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) Illuminate Research in Public Health (Associations between depressive symptoms and 5-year subsequent work nonparticipation due to long-term sickness absence, unemployment...).

A recent study conducted by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) examined the association between depressive symptoms and subsequent work nonparticipation, including long-term sickness absence, unemployment, and early retirement. The study used a 5-year cohort of 2,413 employees in Germany and found that medium to severe depressive symptoms were associated with work nonparticipation, particularly long-term sickness absence and unemployment. Mild depressive symptoms were also found to be a risk factor for work nonparticipation. The study emphasizes the importance of considering different types of work nonparticipation and the societal consequences of depressive symptoms. [Extracted from the article]