Temporary Disability Pension, RTW-Intentions, and RTW-Behavior: Expectations and Experiences of Disability Pensioners over 17 Months

Abstract

Purpose: Individuals receiving a temporary disability pension (TDP) should get the opportunity to return to work (RTW). The current study aims to determine the factors contributing to RTW. Methods: 453 individuals on TDP were interviewed at three measurement points (T1, T2 = T1 + approximately 7 months, T3 = T1 + approximately 17 months). Socio-demographics, psychological predictors, and current work status (maintained TDP, permanent disability pension, old-age pension, employed, or receipt of other benefits) were assessed. Results: Throughout the duration of the study, only four of the former temporary disability pensioners returned to work, and an additional seven made themselves available to the labor market. These were individuals who were younger, in TDP for a shorter period of time, and reported a higher RTW-intention. Higher RTW-intention was cross-sectionally associated with younger age, shorter TDP duration, and more positive outcome expectancies. Additionally, study participants who expected that medical rehabilitation would help them RTW were more motivated to RTW. An increase in RTW-intention over 17 months was related to younger age and better health. Conclusion: Personal factors such as self-efficacy and job-related variables appear less important for RTW than age and subjective health status. The observed RTW rates call for early support and tailored medical rehabilitation interventions that help individuals prevent functional limitations, overcome disability, and facilitate RTW. determined by work-related resources (Job Resources) and personal resources (Personal Resources), along with work-related challenges (Job Demands) [20]. Accordingly, Nigatu and colleagues [5] found that too many work-related challenges hinder work ability and RTW. This finding was also replicated by Haveraaen and colleagues [21], who found that decision-making, self-efficacy expectations, and social support are important for RTW.Various authors have pointed out that interventions should come to pass as early as possible [6,22,23]. Overland and colleagues [1] found that age was not correlated with RTW-intentions but that in general, RTW was associated with age [12]. Additionally, outcome expectancies (OE) related to incentives or gratification of work also appear to be important in RTW [24]. Moreover, individuals who managed to RTW were more likely to be previously employed [16,17,25] and had participated in a specialized rehabilitation during their DP [25]. In summation, the following research questions remain unanswered and the main aim of this work is to investigate them accordingly. The research questions are as follows:(1) What is the likelihood of returning to work (RTW) when receiving temporary disability pension (TDP) in Germany, and what are the characteristics of those who returned to work? (2) What is the relationship between RTW-behavior and RTW-intention? (3) Is there an association between the duration of TDP and RTW-intention? (4) What socio-demographic and psychological factors predict RTW-intention?Int.

Gesundheit und Lebenszufriedenheit bei Erwerbsminderungsrentnern und -rentnerinnen: Die Bedeutung von finanziellen Ressourcen und Einsamkeit

“…Die Grundgesamtheit der potentiellen Teilnehmer bestand aus allen N = 4221 Versicherten der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV) Oldenburg-Bremen, die im Untersuchungszeitraum eine befristete Erwerbsminderungsrente bezogen und nicht unter rechtlicher Betreuung standen. Das Studiendesign und ausgewählte Daten zur Baseline wurden bereits veröffentlicht [4,24]. Die Daten entstammen der längsschnittlichen Befragung mittels Computerassistierter, telefonischer Interviews (CATI).…”

“…Als weiterer theoretisch wichtiger Faktor für die Rückkehr in die Arbeit wurden im vorliegenden Modell keine Handlungsergebniserwartungen, also die positive und negative (subjektive) Bedeutung der früheren und möglicherweise zukünftigen Erwerbstätigkeit, berücksichtigt. Diese waren für die Absicht zur Rückkehr oder den tatsächlichen Rückkehrerfolg in einer anderen Analyse weni-ger bedeutungsvoll als Gesundheit und Alter [24]. Im Sinne eines möglichst ökonomischen Modells wurden diese Handlungsergebniserwartungen dementsprechend nicht berücksichtigt.…”

Well-Being at Work after Return to Work (RTW): A Systematic Review

“…Finally, empirical research on RTW continues its advancement, as the plethora of studies published during 2020 shows [87][88][89][90], while the systematic reviews and the methodological quality analysis of the existing literature [91] also contribute to expanding our comprehension of the RTW phenomenon as the main threat for the integration of people with health conditions in developed countries [5].…”

Work Resumption after a Fixed-Term Disability Pension: Changes over Time during a Period of Decreasing Incidence of Disability Retirement

“…Return to work after a fixed-term disability pension has also been examined elsewhere. A German interview study found that a very small proportion of fixed-term disability pensioners returned to work, and it was clearly more common to receive a permanent pension [ 9 ]. Return to work seemed to be more likely among the younger and those with a shorter fixed-term pension, but due to the low number of those returning to work, the results are tentative.…”