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Rashid M, Kristofferzon ML, Nilsson A. Predictors of return to work among women with long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain: A 1-year prospective study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260490. [PMID: 34813601 PMCID: PMC8610267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sick leave due to musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck/shoulders and back, is one of the major public health problems in Western countries such as Sweden. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of return to work (RTW) among women on sick leave due to long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain. Methods This was a prospective cohort study with a 1-year follow-up. The study participants were recruited from a local Swedish Social Insurance Agency register and had all been on sick leave for ≥ 1 month due to long-term (≥ 3 months) neck/shoulder and/or back pain. Data on predictors and outcome were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 208 women aged 23–64 years were included at baseline, and 141 responded at the 1-year follow-up. Cluster analyses were performed to identify one predictor from each cluster for use in the regression model. Results At the 1-year follow-up, 94 of the 141 women had RTW and 47 had not. Women who engaged in more coping through increasing behavioral activities (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25) and those who more strongly believed they would return to the same work within 6 months (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.10–1.37) had an increased probability of RTW. Receiving more social support outside work (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.92) decreased the odds of RTW at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions Behavioral activities, beliefs about returning to the same work, and social support outside work were predictors of RTW at the 1-year follow-up. Healthcare professionals should consider these predictors in their efforts to prevent prolonged sick leave and to promote RTW in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamunur Rashid
- Department of Public Health and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Marja-Leena Kristofferzon
- Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Annika Nilsson
- Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
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Nybergh L, Bergström G, Hellman T. Do work- and home-related demands and resources differ between women and men during return-to-work? A focus group study among employees with common mental disorders. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1914. [PMID: 33334324 PMCID: PMC7745371 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-10045-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common mental disorders present the main reason for registered sick leave in Sweden today, and women are at a higher risk of such sick leave than men. The aim of our study was to explore how the experiences of work- and home-related demands as well as resources influence return-to-work among employees sick-listed for common mental disorders in Sweden. Specifically, we aimed to explore similarities and differences in patterns of experiences among women and men. METHODS A qualitative design with semi-structured focus group interviews was applied. One pilot interview and six additional focus groups, with a total of 28 participants, were conducted. The focus group discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed with conventional content analysis. RESULTS The analysis resulted in four main categories and eight sub-categories. While the study aim was to explore aspects of work and home, additional considerations related to internal demands and involved actors were also found. The main and sub-categories were "Home-related demands and resources" (sub-categories: "Not on sick leave for home-related demands", "Feeling responsible for relationships and the well-being of others", "An affected economy" and "Finding energizing activities and creating routines"), "Work-related demands and resources" (sub-categories: "Encountering tough emotions and an over-bearing feeling of responsibility at work", "Continued work-related demands create un-certainty about the future", "Loss of boundaries" and "(Desired) support from managers and colleagues"), "Internal demands and resources" and "Demands and resources linked to involved actors". The experiences described among women and men were similar in some categories while patterns of experiences differed in others. CONCLUSIONS Home-related demands and resources influence return-to-work among women and men sick-listed for common mental disorders in Sweden, also when work-related demands are experienced as the main reason for the sick leave period. Furthermore, several of these aspects were described differently among women and men, which highlights the need to consider possible gender differences in relation to return-to-work, while maintaining attention to individual variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotta Nybergh
- Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Väg 13, Box 210, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gunnar Bergström
- Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Väg 13, Box 210, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Occupational Health Sciences and Psychology, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Therese Hellman
- Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Väg 13, Box 210, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.,Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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Rindner L, Nordeman L, Strömme G, Svenningsson I, Premberg Å, Hange D, Gunnarsson R, Rembeck G. Prognostic factors for future mental, physical and urogenital health and work ability in women, 45-55 years: a six-year prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMC Womens Health 2020; 20:171. [PMID: 32787825 PMCID: PMC7425146 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-01015-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired health due to stress is a common cause of long-term illness in women aged 45-55 years. It is a common cause for visits to primary health care (PHC) and may influence work-ability. The aim of this study was to investigate prognostic factors for future mental, physical and urogenital health as well as work-ability in a population of average women aged 45-55 years. METHODS This longitudinal cohort study initially assessed 142 women from PHC centers in southwestern Sweden. One houndred and ten accepted participation and were followed for 6 years. They were assessed using the self-reported questionnaires: the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S), the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Descriptive data are presented of health, education, relationships and if they are working. Multicollinearity testing and logistic regression were used to test the explanatory variables. RESULT Severity of symptoms in the MRS somatic and urogenital domains decreased while they increased in the psychological and depressive domains. Having tertiary education was associated with decreased overall mental health, vitality and social role functioning. Living with a partner was associated with increased physical role functioning, social role functioning and emotional role functioning. CONCLUSION Quality of life seems to be enhanced by a good relationship with the partner, social support and work/life balance. Therefore, to improve women health women should early discuss ways in which these issues can be incorporated as they pursue their academic or career goals. Hence, we emphasize the importance of supporting women to gain increased awareness about a healthy life balance and to have realistic goals in work as well as in their social life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Rindner
- Närhälsan, Södra Torget Health Care Center, Kvarngatan 4, SE-503 36 Borås, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Primary Health Care, Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lena Nordeman
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Strömme
- Närhälsan, Södra Torget Health Care Center, Kvarngatan 4, SE-503 36 Borås, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
| | - Irene Svenningsson
- Primary Health Care, Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Fyrbodal, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Åsa Premberg
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dominique Hange
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Primary Health Care, Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Närhälsan, Svenljunga Health Care Center, Svenljunga, Sweden
| | - Ronny Gunnarsson
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Primary Health Care, Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gun Rembeck
- Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Health Care, Research and Development Center Södra Älvsborg, Borås, Sweden
- Primary Health Care, Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Närhälsan Borås Youth Centre, Region Västra Götaland, Borås, Sweden
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Englund ACD, Rydström I, Dellve L, Ahlstrom L. Social support outside work and return to work among women on long-term sick leave working within human service organizations. Appl Nurs Res 2016; 30:187-93. [PMID: 27091277 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the relationships between return to work and social support outside work among women on long-term sick leave from human service organizations. BACKGROUND Work is an important part of life and is, in general, considered to be supportive of health and wellbeing. Few studies have thoroughly investigated the importance of aspects of social support outside work for return to work. METHODS A cohort of women on long-term sick leave was followed with questionnaires from 2005 to 2012. RESULTS The availability of social attachment increased the women's work ability, return to work, and vitality significantly more over time. There were positive relationships between return to work and seeking support in terms of emotional support and comfort and expressing unpleasant feelings. CONCLUSIONS Important resources to increase return to work can be found in factors outside work, such as close social relationships and support seeking. Thus, it is important to take the woman's whole life situation into account and not focus solely on aspects related to the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingela Rydström
- Department of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden
| | - Lotta Dellve
- School of Technology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Ahlstrom
- Department of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden
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