Positive RTW self-efficacy (Personal factor for workers with an MSD)

Interpretation of the “Positive RTW self-efficacy” factor

A positive RTW self-efficacy positively influences RTW or sickness absence duration.

Definition of the “Positive RTW self-efficacy” factor

Short definition: The feeling of efficacy (known as self-efficacy) is the strength of a person’s conviction in his or her ability to exhibit a certain behaviour (Bandura, 1977), notably, to resume his or her work activities following a sick leave (Corbière et al., 2016).

To find out more:

A positive RTW self-efficacy positively influences RTW in workers with an MSD (Corbiere et al., 2017; Huijs, Koppes, Taris et Blonk, 2012). The feeling of efficacy, known as self-efficacy, is a concept applied in many fields. People’s expectations regarding their self-efficacy determine whether or not a behaviour is initiated, how much effort will be put into behaving in this way, and how long the behaviour will be maintained in the presence of obstacles or negative experiences (Bandura, 1977). Applying this concept to the RTW, it implies that individuals with low self-efficacy might delay their return and be less successful in their attempts to return (Brouwer, Amick, Lee, Franche et Hogg-Johnson, 2015), particularly because they do not believe they are able to overcome the obstacles they encounter (Corbière et al., 2016). Individuals with musculoskeletal pain and low self-efficacy in their RTW might, for example, be convinced that they are unable to propose solutions to their supervisor for reducing their discomfort, to manage their own pain adequately when at work or to explain their limitations to their co-workers.

Band1ura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological review, 84(2), 191.

Brouwer, S., Amick, B. C., 3rd, Lee, H., Franche, R. L. et Hogg-Johnson, S. (2015). The Predictive Validity of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy Scale for Return-to-Work Outcomes in Claimants with Musculoskeletal Disorders. J Occup Rehabil, 25(4), 725-732. doi: 10.1007/s10926-015-9580-7

Corbière, M., Negrini, A., Durand, M.-J., St-Arnaud, L., Briand, C., Fassier, J.-B., . . . Lachance, J.-P. (2016). Development of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) and Validation with Workers Suffering from a Common Mental Disorder or Musculoskeletal Disorder. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s10926-016-9661-2

Corbiere, M., Negrini, A., Durand, M. J., St-Arnaud, L., Briand, C., Fassier, J. B., . . . Lachance, J. P. (2017). Development of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) and Validation with Workers Suffering from a Common Mental Disorder or Musculoskeletal Disorder. J Occup Rehabil, 27(3), 329-341. doi: 10.1007/s10926-016-9661-2

Huijs, J. J., Koppes, L. L., Taris, T. W. et Blonk, R. W. (2012). Differences in predictors of return to work among long-term sick-listed employees with different self-reported reasons for sick leave. J Occup Rehabil, 22(3), 301-311. doi: 10.1007/s10926-011-9351-z

Tools for measuring the “Positive RTW self-efficacy” factor