Good social functioning (Health factor for workers with CMD)

Interpretation of the “Good social functioning” factor

Good social functioning positively influences RTW or sickness absence duration.

Definition of the “Good social functioning” factor

Short definition: Social functioning is involvement/participation in a life situation while participation restrictions are difficulties an individual may experience in involvement in life situations (World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF, 2001).

To find out more:

Good social functioning positively influences RTW in workers with a CMD (Gustafsson et al., 2013; Laukkala, Heikinheimo, Vuokko, Junttila et Tuisku, 2018). Social functioning was defined as the ability to perform more complex social roles or life tasks (e.g., leisure/social/work life situations) within a sociocultural and physical environment (Jette, 2006). Examples of social participation includes complex behaviors such as taking part in social activities, going out to public places, invite people for meal or entertainment, visit friends and family, take care of own health and working (Jette, Haley et Kooyoomjian, 2003). In fact, it often refers to interpersonal interactions involving communication skills.

Gustafsson, K., Lundh, G., Svedberg, P., Linder, J., Alexanderson, K. et Marklund, S. (2013). Psychological factors are related to return to work among long-term sickness absentees who have undergone a multidisciplinary medical assessment. J Rehabil Med, 45(2), 186-191. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1077

Jette, A. M. (2006). Toward a common language for function, disability, and health. Phys Ther, 86(5), 726-734.

Jette, A. M., Haley, S. M. et Kooyoomjian, J. T. (2003). Are the ICF Activity and Participation dimensions distinct? J Rehabil Med, 35(3), 145-149. doi: 10.1080/16501970310010501

Laukkala, T., Heikinheimo, S., Vuokko, A., Junttila, I. S. et Tuisku, K. (2018). Subjective and objective measures of function and return to work: an observational study with a clinical psychiatric cohort. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 53(5), 537-540. doi: 10.1007/s00127-017-1479-5

World Health Organization. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF. (2001). Geneva, Switzerland : World Health Organization.

Tools for measuring the “Good social functioning” factor