Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of diagnosis, co-morbidity, secondary
conditions (e.g. learning problems, subclinical mental and somatic complaints,
addictions, and socio-emotional and behavioral problems) and problems in social
context on work ability as assessed by Insurance Physicians (IPs) in young adults
applying for a disability benefit. METHOD: IPs of the Social Security Institute
assessed young adults with disabilities (aged 15-27) applying for a disability
benefit (n = 1755). Data were analyzed with multilevel ordinal regression
techniques. RESULTS: Primary diagnosis, co-morbidity and subclinical mental
complaints were associated with IP-assessed work ability. Persons with mental
health conditions as primary diagnosis were less likely to reach a higher work
ability than persons with somatic diseases. Young adults with two or more
co-morbid conditions and those with psychiatric or developmental co-morbidity
were less likely to reach a higher work ability level than persons without
co-morbidity. Young adults with subclinical mental complaints were half as likely
to reach a higher IP-assessed work ability than young adults without this
condition. CONCLUSION: Primary diagnosis, type and number of co-morbid conditions
and subclinical mental complaints are associated with IP-assessed work ability.
Work-ability assessments among adolescents with disabilities applying for
disability benefits still focus mainly on medical factors.

Langue : ANGLAIS