Impact of COVID-19 on Employment: Sociodemographic, Medical, Psychiatric and Neuropsychological Correlates

Authors

Madison Thompson, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
Stephen J. Ferrando, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.Follow
Rhea Dornbush, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.Follow
Sean Lynch, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
Sivan Shahar, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
Lidia Klepacz, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
Abbas Smiley, School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.3389/fresc.2023.1150734

Journal Title

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences

First Page

1150734

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Department

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Second Department

Surgery

Keywords

employment, employment impact, long covid, neuropsychiatric outcomes, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Given the nature of the persistent physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms reported in the literature, among individuals after acute COVID illness; there is growing concern about the functional implications of the Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). We aim to evaluate associations of sociodemographic, medical, psychiatric and neuropsychological factors with employment status post COVID-19. METHODS: 59 participants were administered a neuropsychiatric assessment and queried about employment status and occupational difficulties months after quarantine. Two levels of comparison were conducted: (1) Those who took time off work (TTO) to those with no time off (NTO); (2) Those who reported occupational performance suffered (PS) to those who did not (PDNS). RESULTS: TTO vs. NTO exhibited extensive differences across medical, psychiatric and neurocognitive domains. PS vs. PDNS differed on subjective measures of physical and cognitive symptoms, but not on objective testing. CONCLUSION: Individuals who took time off beyond COVID-19 quarantine experience persistent physical, psychiatric, subjective and objective neurocognitive burden. In contrast, occupational impairment appears to reflect subjective complaints, but not objective measures. Clinical implications are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Thompson, M., Ferrando, S. J., Dornbush, R., Lynch, S., Shahar, S., Klepacz, L., & Smiley, A. (2023). Impact of COVID-19 on Employment: Sociodemographic, Medical, Psychiatric and Neuropsychological Correlates. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 4, 1150734. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2023.1150734