Women's perceived work environment after stress-related rehabilitation : Experiences from the ReDO project

• Purpose: The study aimed to investigate (a) if womens perceptions of their work environment changed during a 16-week rehabilitation period and at a 12-month follow-up; (b) whether such changes were related to outcomes in terms of return to work, well-being and valued occupations. Methods: Eighty-four gainfully employed women on sick-leave due to stress-related disorders responded to instruments assessing perceptions of the work environment, well-being (self-esteem, self-mastery, quality of life, perceived stress, self-rated health) and perceived occupational value. Data about return to work were collected from registers. Non-parametric statistics were used. Results: The increase in the womens ratings of their work environmentwas non-significant between baseline and completed rehabilitation but was statistically significant between baseline and the 12-month follow-up. No relationships were found between changes in perceptions of the work environment and outcomes after the rehabilitation. At the follow-up, however, there were associations between perceived work environment changes in a positive direction and return to work; improved self-esteem, self-mastery, quality of life, perceived occupational value and self-rated health; and reduced stress. Conclusion: It seems important to consider the work environment in rehabilitation for stress-related problems, and a follow-up appears warranted to detect changes and associations not visible immediately after rehabilitation.Implications for RehabilitationWork environmentPerceptions of the work environment seem important for return to work, although other factors are likely to contribute as well.Perceptions of the work environment are associated with several aspects of well-being.When developing rehabilitation interventions a focus on the clients' perceptions of their work environment seems vital. © 2015 Informa UK Ltd.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Quality of life

self-esteem

self-rated health

stress-related disorders

work rehabilitation

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