1816 - EXPLORING WORKPLACE REINTEGRATION AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Session: D08S0024 - Occupational / Work & Organizational Health 1
AUTHORS:
Kohli Neena (Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad ~ Prayagraj ~ India) , Banerjee Aditya (Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education ~ Manipal ~ India) , Chawla Sarabjeet Kaur (Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education ~ Manipal ~ India) , Kohli Vrrinda (Independent Researcher ~ Prayagraj ~ India) , Rawat Shefali (Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad ~ Prayagraj ~ India) , Kumar Vipul (Department of Psychology, Kashi Naresh Govt. Post Graduate College ~ Gyanpur ~ India) , Ali Amreen Ahmad (Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad ~ Prayagraj ~ India)
Abstract text:
Returning to work after experiencing a cardiovascular disease, such as a myocardial infarction (MI), poses numerous challenges for patients. This study investigated the process of workplace adjustment among employees who resumed work following an MI, emphasizing crucial psychosocial factors, including personal resilience, workplace support, and the broader organizational context. The sample comprised 14 employees (13 males and 1 female), aged 42 to 56 years, all of whom had returned to work after recovery. The findings indicated that economic, social, and cultural factors significantly influenced their decision to re-enter the workplace. Participants highlighted the importance of their beliefs about illness, self-efficacy, and perceived control in shaping their readiness to rejoin the workforce and enhance their well-being, thereby facilitating their adjustment and reintegration into the workplace. The coping strategies employed by participants included both problem-focused techniques, such as actively managing job-related demands, and emotion-focused approaches, which involved efforts to regulate emotional responses to stress. These findings underscore the necessity for workplace practices that foster resilience, establish support networks, and allow for flexible adjustments to promote long-term employee well-being. Future research should explore the interplay between individual coping mechanisms and organizational strategies to improve outcomes related to reintegration.