title: Prognostic factors for the work participation of sick-listed unemployed and temporary agency workers with psychological problems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among the working population, unemployed and temporary agency workers are a particularly vulnerable group, at risk for sickness absence due to psychological problems. Knowledge of prognostic factors for work participation could help identify sick-listed workers with a high-risk for work disability and provide input for sickness absence counseling. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors for the work participation of medium- and long-term sick-listed unemployed and temporary agency workers with psychological problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 932 sick-listed unemployed and temporary agency workers with psychological problems was followed for one and a half years. Data collection was conducted at three time-frames: 10 months, 18 months and 27 months after reporting sick. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perceived health, full return-to-work (RTW) expectations, age and work status at 18 months were strong prognostic factors for work participation at subsequent time-frames in the univariate analyses. Multiple logistic regression revealed that full RTW expectation was a prognostic factor for future work participation in both the medium- and long-term, whereas moderate-to-good perceived health was a prognostic factor for work participation in the medium-term. Being under 45 years of age and having a positive work status at 18 months were prognostic factors for work participation in the long-term.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Workers' self-appraisal of health, age and work status were strong prognostic factors for the future work participation of sick-listed unemployed and temporary agency workers with psychological problems. These findings could help occupational and insurance physicians identify high-risk sick-listed workers for sickness absence counseling.
authors.affiliation: Coronel Institute of Occupational Health/Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, P.O. BOX 22700, 1100 DE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.s.audhoe@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Selwin S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Audhoe
authors.forename: Jan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hoving
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuijsen
authors.forename: Rafiq
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Friperson
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Judith K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sluiter
authors.forename: Monique H W
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Frings-Dresen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D062707:Return to Work; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation