title: Work adjustment in cardiovascular disease: job characteristics and social support.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand social influences on work recovery, we studied the association between work status, work adjustment (WA), job demands, and social support (employer, family, physician) for return to work in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple cross-sectional design with questionnaire data collected from patients (72% working; age = 57 ± 10.7 years) either at program entry (n = 126) or 6 to 12 months (n = 88) of CR exposure. Work adjustment was assessed by utilizing a visual analogue scale (WA VAS). Perceived social support from the employer, family, and physician was assessed using 5-point Likert scales. Physical demands (PD) and psychological job demands, and job control, were assessed utilizing the Job Content Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Working patients expressed higher levels of employer support (4.2 ± 1.2 vs 3.6 ± 1.4, P < .04) and lower PD (7.9 ± 3.4 vs 10.5 ± 4.0, P < .001) than those not working. Employer support was positively correlated with WA VAS (R = 0.34, P < .002). High PD were negatively correlated with WA VAS (R = -0.31, P < .002). Weaker relationships were observed between family support and physician support and the dependent measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that CR patients view their employer as a significant source of social support for return to work. Efforts to foster support from employers are an important consideration for the functional rehabilitation of these workers. The nature of the supportive relationship requires further investigation to determine the salient aspects that impact on work adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada. fergalohagan@trentu.ca
authors.forename: Fergal T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: O'hagan
authors.forename: Scott G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data