Illness Perceptions in the Context of Differing Work Participation Outcomes: Exploring the Influence of Significant Others in Persistent Back Pain

Overview

Journal BMC Musculoskelet Disord

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Orthopedics
Physiology

Date 2013 Feb 1

PMID 23363454

Citations 8

Authors

Joanna Brooks

Serena McCluskey

Nigel King

Kim Burton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that the significant others of individuals with persistent back pain may have important influences on work participation outcomes. The aim of this study was to extend previous research by including individuals who have remained in work despite persistent back pain in addition to those who had become incapacitated for work, along with their significant others. The purpose of this research was to explore whether the illness beliefs of significant others differed depending on their relative's working status, and to make some preliminary identification of how significant others may facilitate or hinder work participation for those with persistent back pain.

Methods: Interviews structured around the Illness Perception Questionnaire (chronic pain version) were conducted with back pain patients recruited from a hospital pain management clinic along with their significant others. Some patients had remained in work despite their back pain; others had ceased employment. Data were analysed using template analysis.

Results: There were clear differences between beliefs about, and reported responses to, back pain symptoms amongst the significant others of individuals who had remained in employment compared with the significant others of those who had ceased work. Three overarching themes emerged: perceived consequences of back pain, specific nature of employment and the impact of back pain on patient identity.

Conclusions: Significant others of employed individuals with back pain focused on the extent to which activity could still be undertaken despite back pain symptoms. Individuals out of work due to persistent back pain apparently self-limited their activity and were supported in their beliefs and behaviours by their significant others. To justify incapacity due to back pain, this group had seemingly become entrenched in a position whereby it was crucial that the individual with back pain was perceived as completely disabled. We suggest that significant others are clearly important, and potentially detrimental, sources of support to individuals with back pain. The inclusion of significant others in vocational rehabilitation programmes could potentially be a valuable way of mobilising readily accessible resources in a way that supports optimal functioning.

Citing Articles

Screening for breast and cervical cancer among OST patients: a qualitative study of barriers and suggested interventions to increase participation.

Garpenhag L, Dahlman D Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2023; 18(1):2175767.

PMID: 36756664 PMC: 9930823. DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2175767.

The Associations Between Illness Perceptions and Expectations About Return to Work of Workers With Chronic Diseases and Their Significant Others: A Dyadic Analysis.

Snippen N, de Vries H, Roelen C, Brouwer S, Hagedoorn M J Occup Rehabil. 2022; 33(1):189-200.

PMID: 35978150 PMC: 10025207. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-022-10062-7.

Digital Interventions Supporting Self-care in People With Type 2 Diabetes Across Greater Manchester (Greater Manchester Diabetes My Way): Protocol for a Mixed Methods Evaluation.

Goldthorpe J, Allen T, Brooks J, Kontopantelis E, Holland F, Moss C JMIR Res Protoc. 2022; 11(8):e26237.

PMID: 35976184 PMC: 9434385. DOI: 10.2196/26237.

The work of return to work. Challenges of returning to work when you have chronic pain: a meta-ethnography.

Grant M, O-Beirne-Elliman J, Froud R, Underwood M, Seers K BMJ Open. 2019; 9(6):e025743.

PMID: 31227529 PMC: 6596973. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025743.

Influence of significant others on work participation of individuals with chronic diseases: a systematic review.

Snippen N, de Vries H, van der Burg-Vermeulen S, Hagedoorn M, Brouwer S BMJ Open. 2019; 9(1):e021742.

PMID: 30670501 PMC: 6347910. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021742.

References

van Tulder M, Koes B, Bombardier C . Low back pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2002; 16(5):761-75. DOI: 10.1053/berh.2002.0267. View

Pincus T, Burton A, Vogel S, Field A . A systematic review of psychological factors as predictors of chronicity/disability in prospective cohorts of low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002; 27(5):E109-20. DOI: 10.1097/00007632-200203010-00017. View

Main C, Foster N, Buchbinder R . How important are back pain beliefs and expectations for satisfactory recovery from back pain?. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010; 24(2):205-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2009.12.012. View

Cano A, Miller L, Loree A . Spouse beliefs about partner chronic pain. J Pain. 2009; 10(5):486-92. PMC: 2695943. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.11.005. View

Leonard M, Cano A, Johansen A . Chronic pain in a couples context: a review and integration of theoretical models and empirical evidence. J Pain. 2006; 7(6):377-90. PMC: 1890016. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2006.01.442. View

van Tulder M, Becker A, Bekkering T, Breen A, Gil Del Real M, Hutchinson A . Chapter 3. European guidelines for the management of acute nonspecific low back pain in primary care. Eur Spine J. 2006; 15 Suppl 2:S169-91. PMC: 3454540. DOI: 10.1007/s00586-006-1071-2. View

Wynne-Jones G, Buck R, Porteous C, Cooper L, Button L, Main C . What happens to work if you're unwell? Beliefs and attitudes of managers and employees with musculoskeletal pain in a public sector setting. J Occup Rehabil. 2010; 21(1):31-42. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-010-9251-7. View

Bambra C . Doctors are key to welfare reform. BMJ. 2010; 341:c6029. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.c6029. View

Foster N, Bishop A, Thomas E, Main C, Horne R, Weinman J . Illness perceptions of low back pain patients in primary care: what are they, do they change and are they associated with outcome?. Pain. 2008; 136(1-2):177-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.12.007. View

10.

McCluskey S, Brooks J, King N, Burton K . The influence of 'significant others' on persistent back pain and work participation: a qualitative exploration of illness perceptions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011; 12:236. PMC: 3209455. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-12-236. View

11.

Nicholas M . Obstacles to recovery after an episode of low back pain; the 'usual suspects' are not always guilty. Pain. 2010; 148(3):363-364. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2009.12.007. View

12.

Glenton C . Chronic back pain sufferers--striving for the sick role. Soc Sci Med. 2003; 57(11):2243-52. DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(03)00130-8. View

13.

Haugli L, Maeland S, Magnussen L . What facilitates return to work? Patients' experiences 3 years after occupational rehabilitation. J Occup Rehabil. 2011; 21(4):573-81. PMC: 3217144. DOI: 10.1007/s10926-011-9304-6. View

14.

Romano J, Jensen M, Schmaling K, Hops H, Buchwald D . Illness behaviors in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue are associated with significant other responses. J Behav Med. 2009; 32(6):558-69. DOI: 10.1007/s10865-009-9234-3. View

15.

Wynn P, Money A . Qualitative research and Occupational Medicine. Occup Med (Lond). 2009; 59(3):138-9. DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqn147. View

16.

Boothby J, Thorn B, Overduin L, Ward L . Catastrophizing and perceived partner responses to pain. Pain. 2004; 109(3):500-506. DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2004.02.030. View

17.

Miller J, Timson D . Exploring the experiences of partners who live with a chronic low back pain sufferer. Health Soc Care Community. 2003; 12(1):34-42. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2004.00466.x. View

18.

Ramond A, Bouton C, Richard I, Roquelaure Y, Baufreton C, Legrand E . Psychosocial risk factors for chronic low back pain in primary care--a systematic review. Fam Pract. 2010; 28(1):12-21. DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmq072. View

19.

Hoving J, van der Meer M, Volkova A, Frings-Dresen M . Illness perceptions and work participation: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2010; 83(6):595-605. PMC: 2902734. DOI: 10.1007/s00420-010-0506-6. View

20.

Giri P, Poole J, Nightingale P, Robertson A . Perceptions of illness and their impact on sickness absence. Occup Med (Lond). 2009; 59(8):550-5. DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqp123. View