Journal Article

Rabie B . Ardahji

Depression and persistent effects on work : An `expert patient ' survey of 500 social workers

Journal Article Review

PSY 1010 - General Psychology

Instructor : Dr . Charley Anderson

March 2007

The research examined in this article attempted to determine how well social workers were able to readapt to their jobs after having experienced depressive illnesses . Furthermore the research sought to discover if there were noticeable negative effects on the job performance of these individuals as a result of their illness . In addition the research aimed to analyze how

these social workers , having being trained to deal specifically with these illnesses , dealt with the illness themselves and what sort of recourses they turned to during their period of depression

The researchers operated under the premise that when depressive illnesses are poorly managed during the treatment period that negative effects could be evidenced on the job among individuals who are returning to work . They believe that negative effects could take various forms anywhere from decreased job productivity to regression Furthermore social workers experiencing depressive illnesses may be unwilling to seek necessary professional help for fear of the stigma that is traditionally to such illnesses and individuals returning to the workplace

Following on published reports highlighting social work as the most stressful job associated with considerably high rates of time off due to illness , researchers sought to determine potential effects that mental health issues could have on the job performance of social workers . The study was conducted in the UK among 500 social workers who had themselves experienced mental health problems . The research was in the form of a questionnaire that was completed and submitted on an entirely voluntary basis by social workers

The questionnaire was initially pilot tested and necessary adjustments made based on observed weaknesses in terminology and structure . The final questionnaire asked questions about recourse to treatment for mental condition such as whether or not the depression was of benefit to their work environment , whether the depression had any notable negative effects on job participation and details of the nature and effectiveness of professional help received . After the adjustments were made to the questionnaire it was subsequently titled Depression : Professionals First-Hand Experiences and published in two professional magazines - Community Care and Professional Social Work . Readers who had experienced depression were asked to complete the questionnaire and then submit it anonymously . Postage of completed questionnaires was free

Specific questions on the questionnaire also included the amount of time-off received from work , how well supported they were by supervisors or managers during their illness , how well supported they were by fellow coworkers and other individuals or facilities within the work environment and details as to which professional or informal means of support they accessed during their illness . Respondents were further asked to rate the effectiveness of the support accessed . Several options were provided under each question and respondents were asked to choose one and sometimes more than applicable response

Among the respondents there was little control for age , sex , ethnicity or...