Psychometric Properties of the Readiness for Return to Work Scale in Inpatient Occupational Rehabilitation in Norway

Overview

Journal J Occup Rehabil

Publisher Springer

Specialties Occupational Medicine
Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2012 Dec 29

PMID 23271500

Citations 11

Authors

Tore N Braathen

Soren Brage

Gunnar Tellnes

Monica Eftedal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate internal consistency and construct validity of the Readiness for return to work (RTW) scale in a sample participating in a Norwegian inpatient occupational rehabilitation program.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on baseline measures from a prospective cohort study evaluating a 5 days inpatient occupational rehabilitation program. The participants in the program were 18-67 years, on sickness absence or at risk of sickness absence (N = 193). The Readiness for RTW scale, sociodemographic-, work- and health-related questionnaires were answered by the participants on their first day in the program. Statistical analysis included exploratory factor analyses, reliability analyses and correlations with related instruments.

Results: In the scale for those not working (N = 124) two factors were found, representing (1) RTW inability and (2) RTW uncertainty. These factors corresponded to the precontemplation and contemplation stages in a previous Canadian study. The original prepared for action stages were not identified in this sample. In the scale for those working shortly before the program (N = 60) two factors were identified, representing (1) Uncertain work maintenance and (2) Proactive work maintenance, comparable to the stages in the Canadian study. The factors had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.7), except for proactive work maintenance (Cronbach's alpha = 0.59). Expected relationships were found between the readiness for RTW stages and the pain stages of change, fear avoidance beliefs for work, subjective health complaints, decision control and coping at work.

Conclusion: Internal consistency and construct validity of the readiness for RTW stages found were satisfactory, except for proactive work maintenance. The results indicate that the construct of readiness for RTW may vary by culture and patient setting.

Citing Articles

Changes in memory and attention during and after occupational rehabilitation: A longitudinal study.

Johansen T, Oyeflaten I, Eriksen H, Lyby P, Dittrich W, Holsen I Work. 2023; 77(3):949-961.

PMID: 37781841 PMC: 10977365. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230027.

Development and psychometric evaluation of a theory-based questionnaire measuring women's return-to-work beliefs after long-term sick leave for common mental disorders.

Hedlund A, Boman E, Kristofferzon M, Nilsson A Work. 2023; 76(1):109-124.

PMID: 36806536 PMC: 10578269. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220301.

Psychometric properties of the readiness for return to work scale in occupational rehabilitation in South Korea.

Lee J, Kim S, Shin G, Yoo S, Leigh J BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):39.

PMID: 36609278 PMC: 9817403. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14948-2.

Development of employment indicators to advance the quality of spinal cord injury rehabilitation care: SCI-High Project.

Alavinia S, Jetha A, Hitzig S, McCauley D, Routhier F, Noonan V J Spinal Cord Med. 2021; 44(sup1):S118-S133.

PMID: 34779730 PMC: 8604534. DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.1955205.

The Readiness for Return to Work Scale; Does it Help in Evaluation of Return to Work?.

Aasdahl L, Fimland M, Roe C J Occup Rehabil. 2021; 32(3):426-437.

PMID: 34657201 PMC: 9576643. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-021-10009-4.

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