title: An Exploration of the Factors Considered When Forming Expectations for Returning to Work following Sickness Absence Due to a Musculoskeletal Condition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workers' own expectations for returning to work following a period of sickness absence have been found to be one of the best predictors of future work status; however, there is a limited understanding of why people expect what they do. The current study was undertaken with the aim of determining what people take into consideration when forming their expectations for returning to work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four people (8 women, 26 men), who were off work due to a musculoskeletal condition, participated in one of 14 focus groups. Participants were aged 25 to 65 (M = 45, SD = 12.6), and all had been out of work for 3 months or less.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants reported expecting to return to work, with the most common timeframe being approximately 30 days (Range = 1 day-12 months). When explaining what they thought about when forming their expectations, participants referenced numerous considerations. Much of what was spoken about could be compartmentalized to reflect features of themselves, their condition, or their broader environmental contexts. Participant's subjective experience of these features influenced his or her expectations. Prominent themes included concerns about employability, a desire to get back to normal, no job to go back to, mixed emotions, re-injury concerns, the judgments of workplace stakeholders, being needed by their employer, waiting for input, until the money runs out, and working out what was in their best interest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indications are that many of the reported considerations are amenable to intervention, suggesting opportunities to assist workers in the process of returning to work.
authors.affiliation: Center for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Center for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: YoonSun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Center for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Elyssa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Besen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology; D012647:Self-Assessment; D018582:Sick Leave; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation