Abstract
Purpose: Individuals receiving a temporary disability pension (TDP) should get the opportunity to return to work (RTW). The current study aims to determine the factors contributing to RTW. Methods: 453 individuals on TDP were interviewed at three measurement points (T1, T2 = T1 + approximately 7 months, T3 = T1 + approximately 17 months). Socio-demographics, psychological predictors, and current work status (maintained TDP, permanent disability pension, old-age pension, employed, or receipt of other benefits) were assessed. Results: Throughout the duration of the study, only four of the former temporary disability pensioners returned to work, and an additional seven made themselves available to the labor market. These were individuals who were younger, in TDP for a shorter period of time, and reported a higher RTW-intention. Higher RTW-intention was cross-sectionally associated with younger age, shorter TDP duration, and more positive outcome expectancies. Additionally, study participants who expected that medical rehabilitation would help them RTW were more motivated to RTW. An increase in RTW-intention over 17 months was related to younger age and better health. Conclusion: Personal factors such as self-efficacy and job-related variables appear less important for RTW than age and subjective health status. The observed RTW rates call for early support and tailored medical rehabilitation interventions that help individuals prevent functional limitations, overcome disability, and facilitate RTW.
Highlights
A better understanding of the complex processes underlying return to work (RTW), such as factors relating to aging, impairment, disability, and subjective health, is required
Disability Pension (TDP) in Germany, and What are the Characteristics of those who Returned to Work?
453 individuals who received temporary disability pension (TDP) at the first measurement point were assessed over 17 months
Summary
A better understanding of the complex processes underlying return to work (RTW), such as factors relating to aging, impairment, disability, and subjective health, is required. There are only a few studies investigating RTW after receiving DP and the various factors facilitating RTW. This dearth of studies may partially be due to the fact that this is a difficult population to study—RTW rates are usually quite low and disability pensioners may feel stigmatized and reluctant to talk about their status. One of the few intervention studies involving disability pensioners did not find any significant effects on RTW: After one year, participants in the intervention group were not significantly more likely to RTW or be seeking a job than participants in the control group. The authors found that positive expectations, better physical functioning, and health made RTW more likely [8]
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