The majority stay active in the labour market after depression
Most people who have been on sick leave for depression maintain a long-term labour market attachment, but some groups risk being marginalised. This according to a study led by Gerda Stutaite based on data from REWHARD.
Photo: Artem Kovalev, Unsplash
The study includes over 9000 people who were placed on sick leave due to depression. The researchers followed the individuals' labour market participation over 15 years. The results show that over 70 percent of those on sick leave due to depression remained active in the labour market over the long-term.
— This suggests that many individuals can stay in the labour market despite their illness, and that Sweden’s welfare system is supportive of these individuals’ continued workforce participation, says Gerda Stutaite.
Higher education and having children living at home were linked to higher labour market participation.
Some groups risk being marginalised
However, according to the study, some social groups are at risk of weaker labour market attachment after sick leave. Foreign-born people in particular are at greater risk of long-term sick leave or unemployment.
— We identified specific factors associated with pathways characterised by long-term sickness absence, disability pension, and economic inactivity, says Gerda Stutaite. These factors included being born outside Sweden, lower levels of education, and a history of sickness absence, particularly long-term spells, and disability pension.
Building on this, current and future studies will focus on identifying potential risk and protective factors associated with different labour market outcomes
Gerda Stutaite. Photo: Karolinska Institutet.
To prevent labour market marginalisation, the authors of the study suggest that interventions need to be tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups. The researchers will now continue to investigate what factors can affect different labour market outcomes following a sickness absence.
— The findings of this study helped us better understand the complex and diverse working life patterns individuals may experience after such a sickness absence spell. Building on this, current and future studies will focus on identifying potential risk and protective factors associated with different labour market outcomes and pathways leading to labour market marginalisation, says Gerda Stutaite and continues:
— This broader understanding could inform targeted public health strategies and workplace interventions to prevent labour market marginalisation and promote long-term workforce participation, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Text: Beatrice Chaveroche
About the study
The study is the first in a broader research project aimed at examining labour market outcomes following a sickness absence spell due to common mental disorders. The goal is to contribute to the understanding of how social, occupational, health-related, and treatment-related factors influence pathways to labour market marginalisation.
This study involved 9139 people aged 25-40 living in Sweden who were placed on sick leave due to depression in 2005. The researchers monitored their labour market participation over a 15-year period. The individuals could be divided into seven different groups depending on their labour market attachment throughout the study. The analysis took into account socio-demographic, labour and health-related factors.
In addition to Gerda Stutaite, the following researchers participated in the study: Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz, Magnus Helgesson, Alexander Kautzky, Anna Finnes and Katalin Gémes.
Read the publication “Working life patterns after sickness absence due to depression: A 15-year register-based prospective cohort study”, published in Journal of Affective Disorders.
For more information about the study, please contact Gerda Stutaite, PhD student at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
Last updated: 2025-12-08
Source: REWHARD