TY - JOUR T1 - Influence of self-reported work conditions and health on full, partial and no return to work after long-term sickness absence JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2008/12VL - 34 IS - 6 SP - 430 EP - 437 AU - Josephson, Malin AU - Heijbel, Bodil AU - Voss, Margaretha AU - Alfredsson, Lars AU - Vingård, Eva M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1289 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1289 KW - full return to work KW - health KW - long-term sickness absence KW - partial return to work KW - partial sick leave KW - psychosocial work conditions KW - questionnaire KW - return to work KW - self-assessment KW - self-report KW - self-reported work conditions KW - sick leave KW - work conditions N2 - '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'This study aimed at describing the frequency of full, partial, and no return to work after long-term sick leave and at ascertaining the influence of psychosocial work conditions, work ability and health, reported before the onset of sick leave, on full and partial return to work.

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METHODS ': 'Altogether 853 public-sector employees in Sweden, mainly women, with at least one sick leave lasting ≥28 days, were studied. The outcome was the level of sick leave 2 years after the sick leave began. Potential predictors were self-rated health, work ability, and psychosocial work conditions assessed by questionnaire before the sick leave. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by multinomial regression analyses.

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RESULTS ': 'Altogether 41% of the participants went directly from full sick leave to full return to work; 21% had periods of partial return to work, but, at the 2-year follow-up, were fully back to work; 15% had partial return to work; and 23% were still not working. A relaxed work situation, a combination of low demands and high decision latitude, increased the odds for full (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.60–4.62) and partial (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.21–4.85) return to work. Negative consequences of organizational changes were associated with decreased odds for full return to work (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.77). Good self-rated health and work ability were associated with full return to work.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'Partial return to work often precedes full return to work, but also operates as a long-term solution for remaining occupationally active. Promoting relatively low demands and high decision latitude at work may support both full and partial return to work after long sick leaves.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -