Factors related to work ability and wellbeing among women on sick leave due to long-term pain in the neck/shoulders and/or back : a cross-sectional study

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is one of the leading causes of sick leave, especially among women, in Western countries. The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with work ability and well-being, respectively, among women on sick leave due to long-term pain in the neck/shoulders and/or back. Methods: A cross sectional study with a correlational design was conducted on women who were sick-listed due to long-term pain in the neck/shoulders and/or back. A total of 208 participants responded to a survey comprising eight instruments: Multidimensional Pam inventory scale, General Self-Efficacy scale, Sense of Coherence scale, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Work Ability Index and Life Satisfaction questionnaire Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with work ability and well being, respectively. Results: Women who more strongly believed they would return to the same work had greater work ability (beta = 0.39, p < 0.001), whereas women with higher pain intensify (beta = - 0.30, p < 0.001) and higher job stiam (beta = - 0.12, p < 0.05) had lower work ability. Women with higher self-efficacy rated greater well being (beta = 0.14, p <0.05) As the women's scores for depression increased, their well being decreased by 48%, which was statistically significant (p <0.001) The regression models for work ability and well-being were significant (p <0.001), and their adjusted R square values were 48% and 59%, respectively. Conclusions: The study suggests that the factors beliefs to be back at the same work, pain intensity and job strain are pi predictive of work ability. Moreover, the factors seif efficacy and depression seem to be predictive of well-being The findings highlight factors that should be considered by health care professionals and policy makers to guide attempts to reduce sick leave.