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Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2/2015

01-06-2015

Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy and Actual Return to Work Among Long-Term Sick-Listed Employees

Authors: D. Volker, M. C. Zijlstra-Vlasveld, E. P. M. Brouwers, A. G. C. van Lomwel, C. M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

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.
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Metadata
Title
Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy and Actual Return to Work Among Long-Term Sick-Listed Employees
Authors
D. Volker
M. C. Zijlstra-Vlasveld
E. P. M. Brouwers
A. G. C. van Lomwel
C. M. van der Feltz-Cornelis
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9552-3

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