title: The Mediating Role of Recovery Expectancies on the Relation Between Depression and Return-to-Work.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depressive symptoms have been identified as a significant risk factor for prolonged disability, however, little is known about the process by which depression impacts recovery following work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). The primary objective of this study was to examine whether recovery expectancies mediate the relation between depression and return-to-work (RTW) status in individuals with WRMDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 109 patients with WRMDs were recruited from 1 of 6 primary care physiotherapy clinics. Participants completed measures of pain severity, depression and recovery expectancies. RTW status was assessed by telephone interview 1 year after the initial assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with previous research, more severe depressive symptoms and lower recovery expectancies were associated with a lower probability of RTW. Logistic regression analyses revealed that recovery expectancies completely mediated the relation between depression and RTW status at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that interventions specifically targeting recovery expectancies in individuals with WRMDs and depressive symptoms might improve RTW outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield, Montreal, QC, H3A 1B1, Canada.
authors.forename: Junie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carriere
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thibault
authors.forename: Michael J L
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011792:Quebec; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012380:Role; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors