Resources for preventing sickness absence due to low back pain.
BACKGROUND
After an episode of non-specific low back pain (LBP) some individuals fail to return to work. The factors leading to such LBP-related sickness absence are not yet fully understood.


OBJECTIVE
To identify individual resources, over and above the already established predictors, for preventing LBP-related sickness absence in a population-based sample of workers experiencing an episode of LBP.


METHODS
Cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Participants were from a working population who reported an episode of acute or subacute LBP at baseline. Four potential resources-life satisfaction, doing sports, job satisfaction and social support at work-were examined for their incremental value in predicting sickness absence over and above baseline sickness absence and fear-avoidance beliefs about work.


RESULTS
In all, 279 workers participated in the study. All four resources showed an inverse relationship with regard to sickness absence. A multiple regression analysis revealed that life satisfaction as a resource protected against sickness absence, when controlling for established risk factors. Job satisfaction and social support at work minimized the influence of sickness absence at baseline and at 1-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
In a non-clinical working sample of individuals experiencing an acute/subacute episode of LBP, life satisfaction was a unique predictor of sickness absence after 1 year. Prevention in the occupational setting should not only address common risk factors but also occupational and individual resources that keep workers satisfied with life despite having LBP.
Department of Work and Organizational Psychology,  Institute for Psychology,  University of Bern, Muesmattstrasse 45, Bern 9,  Switzerland.
C
C
Rolli Salathé
M
M
Melloh
A F
AF
Mannion
Ö
Ö
Tamcan
U
U
Müller
N
N
Boos
A
A
Elfering
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D012944:Social Support; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult