Citation

Black O, Sim MR, Collie A, Smith P. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 2017; 59(12): e257-e262.

Affiliation

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine (Mr Black, Dr Sim, Dr Smith); Insurance Work and Health Group (Dr Collie), Monash University, Australia; Institute for Work & Health (Dr Smith); and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (Dr Smith), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JOM.0000000000001172

PMID

29019817

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate modifiable early-injury factors which are associated with self-efficacy to return-to-work (RTW-SE) and explore whether these factors are different for people with psychological or upper-body musculoskeletal (UB-MSK) injuries.

METHODS: The study used a sample of workers with a UB-MSK (N = 244) or psychological (N = 113) injury who were off work. Differences between injury types were investigated across variables related to: (1) communication with RTW stakeholders; and (2) components of the job itself. A stratified and multigroup analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).

RESULTS: Injury-stratified models revealed no significant differences. In a combined model, higher job autonomy and low-stress contact from the RTW coordinator remained significantly associated with higher RTW-SE.

CONCLUSIONS: Job autonomy and low-stress contact from the RTW coordinator are possible areas to target to increase self-efficacy among injured workers.

Language: en