Abstract
PurposeUnemployment has multidimensional effects. This study investigated how the changes in functioning are associated with the changes in perceived work ability among unemployed people.MethodsThe participants were clients in projects funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) targeted for unemployed individuals. They answered a questionnaire covering work ability (Work Ability Score) and functioning (cognitive, psychological and social functioning, physical condition and everyday activities) and perceived health at the beginning and at the end of the project (mean follow-up 173 days). The study included data from unemployed respondents (N = 502) aged 19–64 years.ResultsOverall, during the follow-up, both work ability and different aspects of functioning improved, excluding physical condition. Changes in cognitive and psychological functioning, physical condition and everyday activities were significantly associated with the changes in work ability. The physical condition had the strongest association with the changes in work ability. Short unemployment time and especially good perceived health improved WAS over time. Age, gender and follow-up time were not associated with changes in work ability.ConclusionsMaintaining or improving health and functioning and shortening the length of unemployment appeared to be important issues in enhancing work ability and thus increasing re-employability potential.
Highlights
IntroductionProlonged unemployment is associated with deteriorating health (e.g. Nurmela et al 2018; Worach-Kardas and Kostrzewski 2014; Butterworth et al 2012; Pharr et al 2012) and work ability (Hult and Lappalainen 2018; Lappalainen et al 2017; Lundin et al 2016; Szlachta et al 2012)
Functioning is closely related to health, and it can be described through psychological (Neff et al 2007), social (Brackett et al 2006), physical (Savinainen et al 2004) and cognitive (Roberts et al 2007) dimensions
Higher functioning and physical condition have been found to be more influential in the association with health and work ability than psychosocial factors for long-term unemployed
Summary
Prolonged unemployment is associated with deteriorating health (e.g. Nurmela et al 2018; Worach-Kardas and Kostrzewski 2014; Butterworth et al 2012; Pharr et al 2012) and work ability (Hult and Lappalainen 2018; Lappalainen et al 2017; Lundin et al 2016; Szlachta et al 2012). There are only a few studies on all aspects of functioning and work ability of unemployed persons These studies concern relations between work ability (work participation) and health (Ferreira et al 2015; McGonagle et al 2015; Kuijer et al 2012; Hoving et al 2010) or only some aspects of functional capacity (Hult and Lappalainen 2018; Worach-Kardas and Kostrzewski 2014; Vastamäki et al 2014; Szlachta et al 2012; Soer et al 2012). Higher functioning and physical condition have been found to be more influential in the association with health and work ability than psychosocial factors for long-term unemployed
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