Changes in return to work among patients in vocational rehabilitation: a self-determination theory perspective.
The aim of the current study was to examine whether patient perceptions of autonomy support from the treatment team in a vocational rehabilitation program will be associated with change (increase) in need satisfaction, autonomous motivation, perceived competence, well-being, physical activity, and return to work (RTW), and whether the self-determination theory (SDT) Model of Health Behavior will provide adequate fit to the data.



A total of 90 participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study and completed measures at four time points over 15 months.



Participants reported increases in all variables, and in general these changes were maintained at six weeks post-rehabilitation and at 15 months post-baseline. As well, the SDT Model of Health Behavior provided adequate fit to the data.



These results underscore the importance of health care practitioners' providing support for their patients' autonomy, competence, and relatedness to improve well-being, physical activity, and RTW in the context of vocational rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Vocational rehabilitation that emphasizes physical activity is associated with increases in patients' well-being, physical activity, and return to work (RTW). It is important for health care practitioners to provide support for their patients' autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the context of vocational rehabilitation, as doing so is associated with increases in patients' autonomous motivation, perceived competence, and psychosocial outcomes.
a Department of Coaching and Psychology , Norwegian School of Sport Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
Anders
A
Farholm
a Department of Coaching and Psychology , Norwegian School of Sport Sciences , Oslo , Norway.|b School of Business and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway , Hønefoss , Norway.
Hallgeir
H
Halvari
c Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Christopher P
CP
Niemiec
c Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.|d Department of Medicine, Healthy Living Center , Center for Community Health, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Geoffrey C
GC
Williams
b School of Business and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway , Hønefoss , Norway.|c Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA.
Edward L
0000-0001-8246-8536
EL
Deci
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D062707:Return to Work
Autonomous motivation; autonomy support; perceived competence; physical activity; vocational rehabilitation; well-being