| 1. |
- Axelsson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Inequalities of quality of life in unemployed young adults : a population-based questionnaire study
- 2007
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In: International Journal for Equity in Health. - 1475-9276 .- 1475-9276. ; 6, s. 1-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: It is well known that unemployment is a great problem both to the exposed individual and to the whole society. Unemployment is reported as more common among young people compared to the general level of unemployment. Inequity in health status and lifesatisfaction is related to unemployment. The purpose of this population-based study was to describe QOL among unemployed young people compared to those who are not unemployed, and to analyse variables related to QOL for the respective groups.Methods: The sample consisted of 264 young unemployed individuals and 528 working or studying individuals as a reference group. They all received a questionnaire about civil status, educational level, immigration, employment status, self-reported health, self-esteem, social support, social network, spare time, dwelling, economy and personal characteristics. The response rate was 72%. The significance of differences between proportions was tested by Fisher's exact test or by χ2 test. Multivariate analysis was carried out by means of a logistic regression model.Results: Our results balance the predominant picture of youth unemployment as a principally negative experience. Although the unemployed reported lower levels of QOL than the reference group, a majority of unemployed young adults reported good QOL, and 24% even experienced higher QOL after being unemployed. Positive QOL related not only to good health, but also to high self-esteem, satisfaction with spare time and broad latitude for decision-making.Conclusion: Even if QOL is good among a majority of unemployed young adults, inequalities in QOL were demonstrated. To create more equity in health, individuals who report reduced subjective health, especially anxiety need extra attention and support. Efforts should aim at empowering unemployed young adults by identifying their concerns and resources, and by creating individual programmes in relation not only to education and work, but also to personal development.
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| 2. |
- Axelsson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Inequalities of quality of life in unemployed young adults : a population-based questionnaire study
- 2007
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In: International Journal for Equity in Health. - : BioMed Central Ltd.. - 1475-9276. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: It is well known that unemployment is a great problem both to the exposed individual and to the whole society. Unemployment is reported as more common among young people compared to the general level of unemployment. Inequity in health status and lifesatisfaction is related to unemployment. The purpose of this population-based study was to describe QOL among unemployed young people compared to those who are not unemployed, and to analyse variables related to QOL for the respective groups. Methods: The sample consisted of 264 young unemployed individuals and 528 working or studying individuals as a reference group. They all received a questionnaire about civil status, educational level, immigration, employment status, self-reported health, self-esteem, social support, social network, spare time, dwelling, economy and personal characteristics. The response rate was 72%. The significance of differences between proportions was tested by Fisher's exact test or by χ2 test. Multivariate analysis was carried out by means of a logistic regression model. Results: Our results balance the predominant picture of youth unemployment as a principally negative experience. Although the unemployed reported lower levels of QOL than the reference group, a majority of unemployed young adults reported good QOL, and 24% even experienced higher QOL after being unemployed. Positive QOL related not only to good health, but also to high self-esteem, satisfaction with spare time and broad latitude for decision-making. Conclusion: Even if QOL is good among a majority of unemployed young adults, inequalities in QOL were demonstrated. To create more equity in health, individuals who report reduced subjective health, especially anxiety need extra attention and support. Efforts should aim at empowering unemployed young adults by identifying their concerns and resources, and by creating individual programmes in relation not only to education and work, but also to personal development.
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| 3. |
- Edén, Lena, 1940-, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics of disability pensioners returning to work : an interview study among individuals with musculoskeletal disorders
- 2007
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. - 0963-8288 ; 29:22, s. 1720-1726
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose. To explore adaptation patterns among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders returning to work by means of the Swedish law on 'resting disability pension'. Method. Qualitative analyses of interviews with 17 individuals going back to work. Results. Three adaptation patterns were identified: The Go- getter, the Realist and the Indifferent. These differed regarding influence factors, own expectations, motive, morals and mentality. Conclusion. Several actors may support a return to work for individuals who received a disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders. In order to succeed, however, it is essential that the disability pensioner is motivated for a reconstruction of his/ her life.
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| 4. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics of disability pensioners returning to work : an interview study among individuals with musculoskeletal disorders
- 2007
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 29:22, s. 1720-1726
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose. To explore adaptation patterns among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders returning to work by means of the Swedish law on 'resting disability pension'. Method. Qualitative analyses of interviews with 17 individuals going back to work. Results. Three adaptation patterns were identified: The Go- getter, the Realist and the Indifferent. These differed regarding influence factors, own expectations, motive, morals and mentality. Conclusion. Several actors may support a return to work for individuals who received a disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders. In order to succeed, however, it is essential that the disability pensioner is motivated for a reconstruction of his/ her life.
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| 5. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Health and health care utilization among early retirement pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders
- 1995
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. - 0281-3432 .- 1502-7724. ; 13:3, s. 211-216
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE--To estimate subjective health status among early retired individuals pensioned due to disorders of the musculoskeletal system. DESIGN--A survey of self-reported health status and health care utilization by means of a mailed questionnaire. SETTING--Early retirees (cases) and a random sample (controls) of individuals from the municipality of Kristianstad, Sweden. SUBJECTS--Cases: all individuals aged 25-59 years granted a full-time early retirement pension during the period 1986-1990 due to disorders of the musculoskeletal system (n = 450). The response rate was 83.6%. CONTROLS--An age- and sex-matched sample (n = 450). The response rate was 82.7%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Self-reported health status and health care utilization. RESULTS--Early retirement entailed a deterioration in self-reported health status among men, all ages, and women aged 25-54 years. Female retirees aged 55-64 reported an improvement in health status since retirement. Early retired female immigrants were less satisfied with their health status than the Swedish ones. Early retirees reported higher health care utilization than controls, but with a reduction since retirement. Drug consumption was high. CONCLUSION--The beneficial effects of early retirement were evident among old women. Men and young and middle-aged women may need support to adjust to life as a retiree. Special attention should be given to the female immigrant retiree.
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| 6. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Immigration and socio-economy as predictors of early retirement pensions
- 1994
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine. - 0300-8037. ; 22:3, s. 187-193
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study, performed in a Swedish municipality, was to obtain a view of early retirement pensioners, focusing on immigration and socio-economy as predictors of early retirement pensions. A questionnaire was sent to 453 early retirement pensioners with disorders of the musculoskeletal system. A corresponding questionnaire was sent to a randomly selected, age- and sex-matched control group of the same size. The response rate was 83%. The study concludes that immigration and low socio-economy are predictors of early retirement pension (ERP). The rate of immigrants was 19% among the ERPs compared to 5% among the controls. The early retired immigrants were comparatively young, and some of them were overqualified for their previous jobs. Of the ERPs 74% were blue-collar workers compared to 39% of the controls. Neither work satisfaction nor unemployment was found to predict ERP.
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| 7. |
- Edén, Lena
(author)
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Quality of life among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders : Studies in a geographically defined population in Sweden
- 2000
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The starting-point of this thesis was the high rate of disability pensioners in Sweden and the lack of knowledge about what a disability pension entails for quality of life (QL). The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about QL among disability retirees with musculoskeletal disorders (ERPs). A questionnaire was sent in 1992 to 450 ERPs in Kristianstad Municipality, Sweden, granted their disability pension 1986-1990, during the last period of what might be called the "golden age" of welfare policies in Sweden. A control group received a corresponding questionnaire, and 55 ERPs were interviewed in 1992. A second questionnaire was sent to the ERPs in 1994. The QL of the ERPs was lower than among controls. Poor QL was more frequent among young (<55 years) than older ERPs and among immigrant compared to Swedish ERPs. Male more often than female ERPs reported their QL to have deteriorated since the retirement. Subjective health status was strongly related to QL among ERPs, as were social network, leisure-time activities, self-image and economy. Experience of an unemployment period preceding the retirement and the view of the disability pension as the best solution were furthermore associated with good QL among ERPs. The interviews revealed that the ERPs considered family relations and health conditions the most important factors influencing their QL. Economic hardship was reported among ERPs with poor/declining QL. The results of this study indicated that the disability pension and the conditions leading to the retirement decision influenced the QL of the ERPs. The disability pension decision as a result of an agreement involving the ERP was emphasised, as well as the importance of continuing medical treatment and rehabilitation efforts among ERPs.
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| 8. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Quality of life among early retirees
- 1999
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In: Experimental Aging Research, 25(4). ; , s. 471-475
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Explanatory variables concerning poor quality of life (QL) were established among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders and a control group. In both groups health status, leisure time activities, and social network were important for QL. Among the retirees immigration, employment before retirement and a negative attitude to the disability pension were related to poor QL.
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| 9. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Quality of life among early retirees
- 1999
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In: Experimental Aging Research. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0361-073X .- 1096-4657.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Explanatory variables concerning poor quality of life (QL) were established among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders and a control group. In both groups health status, leisure time activities, and social network were important for QL. Among the retirees immigration, employment before retirement and a negative attitude to the disability pension were related to poor QL.
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| 10. |
- Edén, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Return to work still possible after several years as a disability pensioner due to musculoskeletal disorders : a population-based study after new legislation in Sweden permitting "resting disability pension"
- 2006
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In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 26:2, s. 147-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Different strategies have been used to stimulate a return to work (RTW) among individuals suffering from long-term ailments. In Sweden a new law on "resting disability pension" permits disability pensioners to go back to work without jeopardising their benefits. In this study different variables related to RTW during 2000 by means of this legislation were identified among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders. Individuals in the study group, when compared to a control group, had more often been disability pensioners for several years, had additional education, estimated their previous job to have been physically strenuous to a lesser degree, were more satisfied with the treatment at the social insurance office and had a more positive self-image. This study shows that it may be meaningful to continue/resume rehabilitation efforts and to try to motivate an individual suffering from musculoskeletal disorders to return to work even after several years as a disability pensioner.
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