Does self-efficacy predict return-to-work after sickness absence? A prospective study among 930 employees with sickness absence for three weeks or more

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Labriola, Merete | Lund, Thomas | Christensen, Karl B. | Albertsen, Karen | Bültmann, Ute | Jensen, Jette N. | Villadsen, Ebbe

Affiliations: National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Merete Labriola, National Institute of Occupational Health, Lerso Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel.: +45 3916 5200; Fax: +45 3916 5201; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Aim: To compare levels of self-efficacy among the general working population and employees with sickness absence from work, and to examine if general self-efficacy measured before occurrence of sickness absence predicted subsequent onset of sickness absence and Return-to-Work. Methods: The study follows a cohort of 5357 working employees and 106 long-term sickness absent employees in Denmark. They were interviewed in 2000 regarding self-efficacy and various co-variates, and followed for 78 weeks in a national sickness absence register. Cox regression analysis was performed in order to assess the effect of self-efficacy on Return-to- Work after sickness absence. Results: General self-efficacy was significantly lower among those with sickness absence compared to the general working population. Self-efficacy showed no statistically significant association with later onset of sickness absence or with Return-to-Work. Conclusion: The results may suggest that lower self-efficacy among employees with sickness absence is a result of the sickness absence itself rather than a precursor of it. This indicates a need to investigate the potential change in self-efficacy in relation to the employee's change in labor market status; this will help to focus Return-to-Work interventions where planning has to be attentive towards the change in self-efficacy that can occur after onset of disease and sickness absence.

Keywords: Sickness absence, return to work, self-efficacy, register, Denmark

Journal: Work, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 233-238, 2007