title: [Social Support as a Resource for Work Ability].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study examined the association of social support with subjective work ability, subjective prognosis of gainful employment and general health perception.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analysis considered cross-sectional data from a sample of 2,983 employees (40-54 years) with sickness benefits in 2012. The postal survey was conducted in May 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for socio-demographic and work-related characteristics as well as personality factors low social support was significantly associated with lower work ability (b=- 2,7; 95% CI:-3,4 to 1,9), higher odds of poor employment prognosis (OR=2,0; 95% CI: 1,5 to 2,6) and poorer health perception (b=- 8,0; 95% CI:-10,1 to-5,9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low social support is potentially an independent predictor of lower work ability, employment prognosis and general health perception. To confirm causal relationships longitudinal data are needed, which will be assessed in 2015 and 2017.
authors.affiliation: Sektion für Rehabilitation und Arbeit, Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Universität zu Lübeck.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: Sektion für Rehabilitation und Arbeit, Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Universität zu Lübeck.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spanier
authors.affiliation: Bereich Rehabilitationsforschung, Institut für Medizinische Soziologie und Rehabilitationswissenschaft, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohnberg
authors.affiliation: Bereich Rehabilitationsforschung, Institut für Medizinische Soziologie und Rehabilitationswissenschaft, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Radoschewski
authors.affiliation: Sektion für Rehabilitation und Arbeit, Institut für Sozialmedizin und Epidemiologie, Universität zu Lübeck.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bethge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062707:Return to Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000066477:Work Performance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*