OBJECTIVE: Considering the costs incurred by sickness absence and the implications for the workers' quality of life, a fast return to work (RTW) is important. Self-efficacy (SE) seems to be an important predictor of RTW for employees with mental health problems. The predictive value of return-to-work self-efficacy (RTW-SE) has not been examined in employees on long-term sickness absence due to any cause. The aim of this study is to investigate whether RTW-SE is a predictor of time to RTW in long-term sick-listed employees with all-cause sickness absence. Furthermore, the relative contribution of RTW-SE in predicting RTW will be examined compared to health-related, job-related and personal factors. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, sick-listed employees who were currently on sick leave for more than 4 weeks filled out a self-report questionnaire. Demographics, health-related, personal, and job-related factors, and RTW-SE were measured. Employees were followed for 2 years to determine the duration until full RTW. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with time to RTW. RESULTS: Data were collected from 493 sick-listed employees. RTW-SE was a significant predictor of RTW. In a multivariate model, low RTW-SE, the thought of not being able to work while having symptoms (illness behaviour) and having chronic medical conditions were predictors of a longer duration until RTW. CONCLUSION: When guiding long-term sick-listed employees, it is important to focus on factors such as SE and illness behaviour, instead of just focusing on the symptoms of the sick-listed employee.
OBJECTIVE: Considering the costs incurred by sickness absence and the implications for the workers' quality of life, a fast return to work (RTW) is important. Self-efficacy (SE) seems to be an important predictor of RTW for employees with mental health problems. The predictive value of return-to-work self-efficacy (RTW-SE) has not been examined in employees on long-term sickness absence due to any cause. The aim of this study is to investigate whether RTW-SE is a predictor of time to RTW in long-term sick-listed employees with all-cause sickness absence. Furthermore, the relative contribution of RTW-SE in predicting RTW will be examined compared to health-related, job-related and personal factors. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, sick-listed employees who were currently on sick leave for more than 4 weeks filled out a self-report questionnaire. Demographics, health-related, personal, and job-related factors, and RTW-SE were measured. Employees were followed for 2 years to determine the duration until full RTW. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with time to RTW. RESULTS: Data were collected from 493 sick-listed employees. RTW-SE was a significant predictor of RTW. In a multivariate model, low RTW-SE, the thought of not being able to work while having symptoms (illness behaviour) and having chronic medical conditions were predictors of a longer duration until RTW. CONCLUSION: When guiding long-term sick-listed employees, it is important to focus on factors such as SE and illness behaviour, instead of just focusing on the symptoms of the sick-listed employee.
Authors: S E Lagerveld; U Bültmann; R L Franche; F J H van Dijk; M C Vlasveld; C M van der Feltz-Cornelis; D J Bruinvels; J J J M Huijs; R W B Blonk; J J L van der Klink; K Nieuwenhuijsen Journal: J Occup Rehabil Date: 2010-09
Authors: Daniëlle Volker; Moniek C Zijlstra-Vlasveld; Johannes R Anema; Aartjan Tf Beekman; Evelien Pm Brouwers; Wilco Hm Emons; A Gijsbert C van Lomwel; Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-05-13 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Pauliina Mattila-Holappa; Johanna Kausto; Ville Aalto; Leena Kaila-Kangas; Mika Kivimäki; Tuula Oksanen; Jenni Ervasti Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-06-16 Impact factor: 3.295