Study Background
Workplace accommodations refer to “any modification of the workplace, or in the workplace procedures, that makes it possible for a person with special needs to do a job.” (Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, 2004) “Just as individuals with physical disabilities who may require physical aids or structural changes to the workplace, individuals with mental disorders most often require social and organizational accommodations to be made.” (Kirby and Keon, 2006).
The objectives of this study are to
1) estimate the percentage of individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders who are in need of workplace mental health accommodations
2) estimate the percentage of individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders who have received workplace mental health accommodations.
3) investigate the impacts of workplace mental health accommodations and workplace psychosocial factors on the outcomes of depressive and anxiety disorders and employment status.
4) determine whether workplace mental health accommodations alleviate the negative impacts of workplace psychosocial factors on the outcomes of depressive and anxiety disorders and employment status.
Procedure
To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the proposed study will build on and extend a successful CIHR project entitled “A population – based longitudinal study of work and health”. (insert a link to this project). Participants who have a depressive or anxiety disorder will be included in the proposed study. Questions about the needs and use of workplace mental health accommodations will be asked. Mental health status will be assessed using the World Health Organization’s Composite International Diagnostic Interview at baseline, 12 months and 24 months.
Funding Source: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Principal Investigator: Dr. JianLi Wang
Co- Investigators: Dr. Scott Patten Dr. Shawn Currie, Dr. Norbert Schmitz
Project Coordinator: Carmelle Bolo
Research Assistants: Jamie Thomas, Arden Jones
Administrative Assistant: Mary-Ann Clements
Dr. Shawn Currie is a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty of the Departments of Psychiatry and of Psychology,University ofCalgary. He is also the director of the Information and Evaluation Unit, Mental Health Program, Calgary Health Region. Dr. Currie is an experienced researcher in mental health service and addiction. In this project, he will provide his expertise in analysis and interpretation of the results related to mental health service use and alcohol consumption.
