Age, Mental Disorders and Work Design Factors

The chapter proposes to introduce an intertwined issue related to age and mental disorders at work. Both are timely and important topics that need further understanding in order to identify successful work interventions and strategies. In particular, work accommodations have been studied to help the work integration of people with mental disorders. However, previous research indicates age differences in work-related aspects (e.g., work design characteristics impact younger and older workers differently). This conceptual contribution aims to critically review and summarize the existing literature on age differences in the effect of work-related design factors on mental disorders and employment outcomes. We organized its structure dividing the work-related design factors between physical and psychosocial factors. Additionally, we attempted to identify possible work accommodations and interventions to promote the work integration and work participation of differently aged workers with mental disorders.