Psychosocial Profiles of Physically Injured Workers Referred for Occupational Rehabilitation

Abstract

Measures of psychosocial risk factors have been found to be effective in predicting return to work (RTW) and other occupational rehabilitation outcomes, with greater degrees of effectiveness than medical factors. Therefore, determining the psychosocial profiles of workers' compensation claimants is likely to benefit occupational rehabilitation providers in facilitating the RTW of injured workers. This study examined the psychosocial profile of 125 physically injured workers referred for occupational rehabilitation. Of these, 53 (42%) were referred for assistance to return to their preinjury employer (RTW same employer) and the remaining 72 (58%) were referred for assistance to find new employment (redeployment). Results from the total sample indicated that 76% of claimants were at risk of developing a chronic condition and over 50% reported significant symptoms of depression and stress. The RTW same employer group had a significantly lower risk of developing chronic pain than the redeployment group and the redeployment group reported more symptoms of psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) than the RTW same employer group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on level of disability, health locus of control, or job satisfaction. The implications of these findings for intervention planning are outlined.