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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
[Could persons on sick leave learn to think differently about themselves and increase their participation in the
Karen Therese Sulheim Haugstvedt1, Sidsel Graff-Iversen, Liv Haugli
1Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt, Oslo. kahaugs@online.no
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate an empowerment programme for improved quality of life and ability to work. At two places of work, a total of 112 employees with frequent sick-leaves over the last six months were invited to participate; 19 women attended. After the intervention the participants reported better coping and quality of life, and they worked more hours per week than previously. In their opinion, the improvement was due to the intervention. This paper relates their experiences and gives an account of their work participation one year later.
Material And Methods:
Questionnaires by the start of and soon after the intervention, telephone interviews and focus group interviews.
Results:
Only minor differences were found after one year compared to just after the intervention. Nearly all the participants expressed more self-esteem and worked more hours per week. They particularly emphasised their new work consciousness and the benefit from the counselling received.
Interpretation:
The results in this small group indicate that after one year the participants had kept most of the self-reconstruction of life that seemed to be achieved during the intervention.
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