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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Labriola
Merete
M
National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Denmark. mla@ami.dk
Lund
Thomas
T
Christensen
Karl B
KB
Albertsen
Karen
K
Bültmann
Ute
U
Jensen
Jette N
JN
Villadsen
Ebbe
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D018582:Sick Leave