[Could persons on sick leave learn to think differently about themselves and increase their participation in the workplace?].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate an empowerment programme for improved quality of life and ability to work. At two places of work, a total of 112 employees with frequent sick-leaves over the last six months were invited to participate; 19 women attended. After the intervention the participants reported better coping and quality of life, and they worked more hours per week than previously. In their opinion, the improvement was due to the intervention. This paper relates their experiences and gives an account of their work participation one year later.


METHODS
Questionnaires by the start of and soon after the intervention, telephone interviews and focus group interviews.


RESULTS
Only minor differences were found after one year compared to just after the intervention. Nearly all the participants expressed more self-esteem and worked more hours per week. They particularly emphasised their new work consciousness and the benefit from the counselling received.


CONCLUSIONS
The results in this small group indicate that after one year the participants had kept most of the self-reconstruction of life that seemed to be achieved during the intervention.
Haugstvedt
Karen Therese Sulheim
KT
Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt, Oslo. kahaugs@online.no
Graff-Iversen
Sidsel
S
Haugli
Liv
L
D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*