A Systematic Search and Review of Questionnaires Measuring Individual Psychosocial Factors Predicting Return to Work After Musculoskeletal and Common Mental Disorders

Overview

Journal J Occup Rehabil

Publisher Springer

Specialties Occupational Medicine
Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2020 Dec 28

PMID 33355911

Citations 8

Authors

Andrea Gragnano

Patrizia Villotti

Christian Lariviere

Alessia Negrini

Marc Corbiere

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Individual psychosocial factors are crucial in the return to work (RTW) process of workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and common mental disorders (CMDs). However, the quality and validity of the questionnaires used to measure these factors have rarely been investigated. The present systematic search and literature review aims at identifying, categorizing, and evaluating the questionnaires (measurement tools) used to measure individual psychosocial factors related to the perception of the personal condition and motivation to RTW that are predictive of successful RTW among workers with MSDs or CMDs. Methods Through a systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO library databases and grey literature, we identified the individual psychosocial factors predictive of successful RTW among these workers. Then, we retrieved the questionnaires used to measure these factors. Finally, we searched for articles validating these questionnaires to describe them exhaustively from a psychometric and practical point of view. Results: The review included 76 studies from an initial pool of 2263 articles. Three common significant predictors of RTW after MSDs and CMDs emerged (i.e., RTW expectations, RTW self-efficacy, and work ability), two significant predictors of RTW after MSDs only (i.e., work involvement and the self-perceived connection between health and job), and two significant predictors of RTW after CMDs only (i.e., optimism and pessimism). We analyzed 30 questionnaires, including eight multiple-item scales and 22 single-item measures. Based on their psychometric and practical properties, we evaluated one of the eight multiple-item scales as questionable and five as excellent. Conclusions: With some exceptions (i.e., self-efficacy), the tools used to measure individual psychosocial factors show moderate to considerable room for improvement.

Citing Articles

A Systematic Review and Evaluation of the Tools Measuring Work-Related Psychosocial Factors in Prospective Research on Sickness Absence of Health Care Workers.

Corthesy-Blondin L, Margheritti S, Vila Masse S, Gragnano A, Negrini A J Occup Rehabil. 2025; .

PMID: 39921797 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-025-10271-w.

Work Ability during the Return to Work Process: Results from a Mixed Methods Follow-Up Study Among Employees with Common Mental Disorders.

Sikora A, Stegmann R, Schroder U, Schulz I, Wegewitz U, Bultmann U J Occup Rehabil. 2025; .

PMID: 39915346 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10262-3.

Obstacles, Self-Efficacy, and Strategies for Returning to Work after Experiencing Burnout: Paving the Path to Sustainable Reintegration.

Leblond J, Faurie I, Corbiere M J Occup Rehabil. 2024; .

PMID: 39673643 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10260-5.

Systematic review and tools appraisal of prognostic factors of return to work in workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal and common mental disorders.

Villotti P, Kordsmeyer A, Roy J, Corbiere M, Negrini A, Lariviere C PLoS One. 2024; 19(7):e0307284.

PMID: 39018306 PMC: 11253986. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307284.

"I'm pulling through because of you": injured workers' perspective of workplace factors supporting return to work under the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board scheme.

Lewis I, Houdmont J Front Rehabil Sci. 2024; 5:1373888.

PMID: 38560027 PMC: 10978658. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1373888.

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