Who Returns to work? Exploring the Role of Interpersonal Problems in Occupational Rehabilitation.
David Aleksander Nilsen, Oda Nissen, Trond Nordfjærn and 2 others
PMID 37340280WHAT IT FOUND
Hostile and dominant interpersonal traits predicted a lower chance of returning to work after rehabilitation, but overall interpersonal problems did not.
A one-point higher score on this specific trait was associated with a 56% lower chance of returning to work.
Key findings
01Higher levels of hostile-dominant interpersonal problems predicted a lower likelihood of returning to work, with a one-point higher score associated with a 56% lower chance.
02Overall interpersonal problems did not significantly predict the likelihood of returning to work when controlling for symptoms.
03The full regression model, including demographics and symptom levels, explained only 6.6% to 8.8% of the variance in return to work.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The outcome variable was dichotomized (working 7.5 hours/week or more vs. less) to achieve statistical power, which prevents analysis of different return-to-work trajectories or sensitivities to other thresholds. All clinical measures were based on patient self-report rather than clinical assessment. The sample size was relatively small (N = 189), which may have led to an underestimation of findings. The regression model explained only a small amount of the variance in return to work, indicating that many other factors not measured here are likely more influential.
Declared interests
The study was funded by NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (including St. Olavs Hospital - Trondheim University Hospital).
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all types of interpersonal problems hinder return to work. The study found that only hostile-dominant traits predicted poorer outcomes, while overall interpersonal problems did not.