Involuntariness of job changes is related to less satisfaction with occupational development in long-term breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE: Considering that breast cancer survivors (BCSs) have been dealing with unwanted job changes after diagnosis, this study aimed to investigate involuntary job changes (unwanted modifications in employment since diagnosis) and explore the association between job changes, involuntariness, and occupational development satisfaction in BCSs 5–6 years after diagnosis. METHODS: Data were drawn from the mixed-methods breast cancer patients’ return to work (B-CARE) study. We surveyed 184 female BCSs who were working at the time of study enrollment during hospitalization (T1), 10 weeks after discharge (T2), 40 weeks after discharge (T3), and 5–6 years after diagnosis (T4) and used descriptive measures and stepwise linear regression models for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of BCSs was 57 years. A total of 105 participants reported 410 job changes, of which 16.1% were reportedly (rather) involuntary. The most commonly reported involuntary changes were increased workload (15.2%) and increased scope of work (15.2%). In the final model, significant predictors of satisfaction with occupational development 5–6 years after diagnosis were age, state of health ΔT2–T3, state of health ΔT3–T4, and involuntariness of job changes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of job changes alone is not substantially associated with BCSs’ satisfaction with occupational development, experiencing involuntary job changes is. Sociodemographic, disease-related, and work(place)-related factors may influence occupational satisfaction among BCSs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The findings indicate the importance of strengthening one’s ability to work as desired to prevent involuntary job changes and enable desired work participation in long-term support. The significance of workplace characteristics highlights the need for employers to encourage satisfying work participation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00016982), 12 April 2019 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11764-021-01035-5.