title: Understanding experiences of participation among men and women with chronic musculoskeletal pain in vocational rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to provide knowledge about participation and change in participation among men and women experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain and undergoing multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six women and four men participating in a vocational rehabilitation intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The participants were encouraged to talk about their experiences and thoughts regarding participation in different life areas using previous, present, and future expectations. The analysis performed was constant comparative and inspired by grounded theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The core category was identified as "goal-oriented participation" which represented participation as intentional and situated. Three categories, "participating as before," "participation constantly changing," and "participating in work on hold," were used, taking into account gender-influenced trajectories and understandings of participation before, during, and after sick leave and rehabilitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different trajectories of participation seemed to be gender specific and were connected to broader societal and environmental factors. These combined aspects seemed to affect values, motivation, and understanding of important goals while experiencing chronic pain. Examining goal-oriented participation may add to the understanding of gender differences in the rehabilitation process and thereby have implications for rehabilitation interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Sør-Trøndelag University College, Trondheim, Norway. lisbeth.kvam@hist.no
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kvam
authors.forename: Arne Henning
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: Kjersti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D062707:Return to Work; D012737:Sex Factors