Welcome to the Research Action Alliance on the Consequences of Work Injury

Mental health and substance use experiences of injured workers with protracted compensation claims

Principal Investigator: Ellen MacEachen

Injured workers with compensation claims that extend beyond the expected healing time are of concern because their claims costs are higher than expected for their condition, and research has shown that social and mental health difficulties can increase in proportion to time away from work. However, the various studies that have documented links between long-term claims and injured worker mental health difficulties have not examined in detail the dimensions of these links and how they are sustained. This study will use qualitative methodology to examine the complexity of injured worker's long-term claim experience, including their trajectories through health care and compensation systems and their experiences with home and community, and how these experiences may relate to mental health and substance use outcomes. Grounded theory analysis was conducted with approximately 40 in-depth injured worker interviews. Interviews were also conducted with mental health experts and pain management experts. This project began in October 2006.