Purpose Return to work self-efficacy (RTW-SE) is a strong predictor of return to work (RTW) in employees with mental health problems (MHPs). However, little is known about the development of RTW-SE during the RTW process. In this study, we aimed to identify RTW-SE trajectories in the year following sick leave in employees with MHPs and provided a description of the trajectories in terms of personal and work characteristics, and RTW status. Methods This multi-wave study included 111 employees with MHPs. RTW-SE was measured at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up with the RTW-SE scale for employees with MHPs. Results Latent class growth analysis revealed six trajectories. In three trajectories employees had increasing RTW-SE scores, namely (class 1) low start, moderate increase, (class 3) moderate start, small increase and (class 5) moderate start, steep increase. The other trajectories were defined by (class 2) persistently high, (class 6) persistently low, and (class 4) decreasing RTW-SE scores over time. Employees across the various trajectories differed significantly with respect to RTW status, and personal and work characteristics measured at baseline, including age, gender, and type of MHP. Less favorable trajectories (class 4 and 6) were characterized by higher age, a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder and lower RTW rates. The most favorable trajectory (class 2) was characterized by a higher proportion of stress-related disorders and less major depression diagnoses. Conclusions Large heterogeneity exists in terms of RTW-SE trajectories in employees with MHPs and significant differences were found across the trajectories regarding personal and work characteristics, and RTW status. Insights into RTW-SE trajectories and their attributes are important to advance more effective and personalized RTW treatment for employees with MHPs.

目的重返工作自我效能感 (RTW-SE) 是有心理健康问题 (MHP) 员工重返工作岗位 (RTW) 的有力预测指标。然而，对于 RTW 过程中 RTW-SE 的发展知之甚少。在本研究中，我们旨在确定 MHP 员工病假后一年内的 RTW-SE 轨迹，并根据个人和工作特征以及 RTW 状态描述轨迹。方法这项多波研究包括 111 名 MHP 员工。RTW-SE 在基线时测量，并在 3、6 和 12 个月的随访中使用 RTW-SE 量表对 MHP 员工进行测量。结果潜在类别增长分析揭示了六个轨迹。在三个轨迹中，员工的 RTW-SE 分数不断增加，即（1 级）低起步、中等增长、（3 级）中等起步、小幅增长和（5 级）中等起步、急剧增长。其他轨迹由（2 级）持续高、（6 级）持续低和（4 级）随着时间的推移而降低 RTW-SE 分数来定义。不同轨迹的员工在 RTW 状态以及基线测量的个人和工作特征（包括年龄、性别和 MHP 类型）方面存在显着差异。不太有利的轨迹（4 级和 6 级）的特点是年龄较大、焦虑症患病率较高和 RTW 率较低。结论MHP 员工的 RTW-SE 轨迹存在很大的异质性，并且在个人和工作特征以及 RTW 状态的轨迹上发现了显着差异。深入了解 RTW-SE 轨迹及其属性对于为 MHP 员工推进更有效和个性化的 RTW 治疗非常重要。