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

Andrea Gragnano,Marc Corbière,Christian Larivière,Patrizia Villotti,Alessia Negrini

doi:10.1007/s10926-020-09935-6

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.

Highlights

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs, such as low back pain) and common mental disorders (CMDs, such as depression) represent prominent causes of sickness absence and work disability worldwide [1]
Among the individual psychosocial variables examined in these 76 studies, three were common significant predictors of return to work (RTW) after musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and CMDs, two were significant predictors of RTW after MSDs only, and two others were significant predictors of RTW after CMDs only
We found a total of 35 effects for MSDs and 19 for CMDs

Summary

Introduction

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs, such as low back pain) and common mental disorders (CMDs, such as depression) represent prominent causes of sickness absence and work disability worldwide [1]. An average of 6% of the workingage population in OECD countries have disability benefits as their primary income, and in some countries, this percentage doubles [2]. MSDs and CMDs account for 42% of the Years Lived with Disability (YLD) globally, with 21% each [3]. The employment rate of people with disabilities in OECD countries is on average 40% lower than that for the general population, and the unemployment rate is twice the overall level [2]. Work is crucial for people with disabilities, because it promotes mental and physical recovery, functional abilities, and social participation [4].

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