Similar work demands, similar problem solving, but more self-regulation problems in employees with mental disorders as compared to others

Sick leave due to mental disorders is a world-wide problem. The key issue for work ability is a good person-job-fit, i. e., work demands and coping capacities must fit together. Employees with mental disorders perceive similar work demands like mentally healthy employees, but have problems with work-coping. Until now it is not well described which concrete work-coping and problem-solving capacities are similar or different in employees with and without mental disorders.A convenience sample of 372 employed people from heterogenous professions (average age 39 years, range 18-66, 55% female, 30.9% mental disorders) filled in an online questionnaire. Participants were asked about work-related characteristics and socio-demographics, mental disorders, and filled in self-rating questionnaires on psychological capacities (Mini-ICF-APP-S), work demands (Mini-ICF-APP-W), work anxiety (WPS), work coping (JoCoRi) and problem solving (12-WD scale).Employees with and without mental disorders described similar work demand levels. Employees with mental disorders perceived themselves weaker in nine out of thirteen psychological capacity dimensions, reported higher work-anxiety, lower person-job-fit, and longer sick leave duration. Employees with mental disorders were weaker in self-regulation, i. e., stress and symptom management. In contrast, there were no differences in general problem solving: both groups were similarly convinced about their ability to handle tasks, colleagues and supervisors.Support for employees with mental health problems (in prevention and reintegration) should be directed to their individual specific needs. Education in self-regulation of problems might be more in need than general problem solving education.