Background: The Work Outcomes Research Cost-benefit (WORC) Project is a prospective Australia-wide study evaluating cost effectiveness of facilitating treatment-seeking behaviour among employees. The relationship between prevalence of mental illness, treatment-seeking behaviour and employment status is investigated.
Aims: To determine (1) prevalence of mental illness across full-time, part-time and casual employees, and (2) to what degree treatment-seeking behaviour influences employment status.
Methods: The WORC Project screened 78,726 employees for prevalence of mental illness using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale, and collected data on general health, demographic, employment and treatment-seeking behaviour.
Results: For males prevalence of mental illness shows no statistical association with employment status, with prevalence rates of 5.6% for full-time employees, 6.1% for part-time and 6.0% for casuals. Full-time and casual females demonstrated a slight increase in prevalence (6.4% and 6.0%, respectively) compared to part-time (4.9%). Interestingly those highly symptomatic employees in treatment for mental health problems were more likely to be part-time (Males: 26.0%; Females: 27.1%) or casual (Males: 24.0%; Females: 24.2%) employees compared to full-time (Males: 19.5%; Females: 22.6%).
Conclusion: The increased rate of treated prevalence among part-time and casual employees indicates an association between some aspect of treatment-seeking behaviour and employment status. This suggests that treatment or some aspect that leads to treatment, such as symptomatic level, increases the likelihood of transitioning from full-time to part-time or casual employment.
