Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy (RTWSE)-19 Scale using forward- and backward-translation and investigate the validity of the RTWSE Scale specifically for Korean workers with work-related injuries.MethodsParticipants were 202 injured workers who had filed a claim accepted by the workers’ compensation system and had received medical rehabilitation at workers’ compensation hospitals following a work-related musculoskeletal injury. Among these participants, 88.1% were male, 54.5% were over 45 years, 45.5% were manufacturing employees, and 54.5% were craft or machine operator and assemblers. The 19 item RTWSE-19 scale was developed by Shaw et al. and have three underlying subscales: (i) meeting job demands, (ii) modifying job tasks, and (iii) communicating needs to others. Statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood estimation with oblique quartimin rotation), internal consistency reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, and correlations with related measures: pain intensity; fear-avoidance beliefs; general health; depression; and general self-efficacy.ResultsUsing exploratory factor analysis, three factors with 17 items were identified: meeting job demands, modifying job tasks, and communicating needs to others. The removal of two items in the modifying job tasks domain resulted in an increased reliability. The Korean version of the RTWSE-17 showed reasonable model fit (CFI = .963; TLI = .943; RMSEA = .068; SRMR = 0.029), satisfactory reliability (r = 0.925), no floor and ceiling effect, and construct validity.ConclusionsThe Korean RTWSE-17 scale was found to possess good psychometric properties and could address different injury types ranging from fractures to amputations involved in sub-acute and rehabilitation phases in the Korean context. This study’s findings provide insights for practitioners and researchers to return to work after rehabilitation in a Korean clinical and workplace setting.
Highlights
This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy (RTWSE)-19 Scale using forward- and backward-translation and investigate the validity of the RTWSE Scale for Korean workers with work-related injuries
While injury- or disability-related factors, such as pain and functional status, are important determinants of successful work reintegration, evidence increasingly suggests that psychosocial factors are strong predictors of RTW outcomes
Claimants were eligible if they were: (i) absent from work due to a musculoskeletal injury sustained at work ranging from a fracture to an amputation; (ii) in treatment, such as a sub-acute intensive rehabilitation program, tailoredexercise program, or work hardening program at Korea Worker’s Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL) hospitals; (iii) aged 18–65 at the time of the survey; (iv) without central nervous complications; (v) able to understand and speak Korean
Summary
This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy (RTWSE)-19 Scale using forward- and backward-translation and investigate the validity of the RTWSE Scale for Korean workers with work-related injuries. RTWSE is based on the Readiness for Return to Work Model, proposed by Franche and Krause,[6] which combine the Phase Model of Occupational Disability and the Readiness for Change Model The former model addresses the influence of physical and psychological factors in specific phases of disability: acute, sub-acute, and chronic. In the Readiness for Return to Work Model, which regards RTW as a health-related behavior, RTWSE is defined as “the personal judgment of one’s ability to do whatever is necessary to return to work” [9]. This concept is useful in understanding the motivational and pain-management aspects of RTW. Shaw and Huang [9] emphasize clinical intervention focused on self-efficacy for functional recovery and pain control are needed for an early RTW
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