Prognostic factors for successful work functioning in the general working population

To help workers to stay at work in a healthy productive and sustainable way and for the development of interventions to improve work functioning, it is important to have insight in prognostic factors for successful work functioning. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic factors for successful work functioning in a general working population.

A longitudinal study (3 months follow-up) was conducted among the working population (N = 98). Work functioning was assessed with the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire 2.0 (WRFQ). The total score was categorized as follows: 0-90; >90 ≤95; and >95-100 (defined as 'successful work functioning'). Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to examine bivariate relationships between potential prognostic factors and the dependent variable (successful work functioning) to identify potential prognostic factors for the multivariate models (p < 0.10). A stepwise approach was used to introduce the variables in the multiple ordinal regression analyses.

Baseline work functioning and work ability were significant prognostic factors for successful work functioning at 3 months follow-up. No prospective associations were identified for psychological job demands and supervisor social support with successful work functioning.

To our knowledge this is the first longitudinal study to identify prognostic factors for successful work functioning in the general working population. High work ability is predictive for future successful work functioning, independent of baseline work functioning.