Affiliations: Section of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of
Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Leipzig,
Leipzig, Saxony, Germany | Department and Outpatient Clinic of Medical
Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany | Deanery Medical Faculty and Department and Outpatient
Clinic of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University
Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Note: [] Corresponding author: Anja Mehnert, Head, Section of
Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology,
University Medical Center Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig,
Germany. Tel.: +49 341 97 15414; Fax: +49 341 97 18809; E-mail:
anja.mehnert@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since a growing number of patients are likely to return
to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis and treatment, there is an increasing
recognition of the work situation, and the physical as well as psychosocial
functioning among those survivors who returned to work. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively examine Health Related quality of Life
(HRQoL) and different aspects of work satisfaction in cancer survivors. PARTICIPANTS: N=702 employed cancer patients (85% women) were
recruited on average 11 months post diagnosis and assessed at the beginning
(t_1), the end (t_2) and 12 months after
cancer rehabilitation program (t_3). METHODS: Participants completed validated measures assessing work
satisfaction, working conditions, job strain and HRQoL. RESULTS: Participants showed a high work satisfaction and were most
satisfied with job related activities and least satisfied with work
organization and leadership. Total work satisfaction was significantly
associated with older age, higher monthly income, higher school education, and
HRQoL, but not with any cancer- or treatment related characteristics. No
significant changes in work satisfaction over time were observed except for a
significant deterioration in satisfaction with job related activities (p=0.002;
η ^2 =0.019), professional acknowledgement (p=0.036;
η ^2 =0.009), and overall work satisfaction (p <
0.001; η ^2 =0.087) with small to moderate effect sizes.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the need for comprehensive
cancer rehabilitation programs and specific vocational interventions.
Keywords: Work satisfaction, employment, cancer, quality of life, rehabilitation
