Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Employees with Mental Disorders or Musculoskeletal Diseases after Sickness-Related Absence: Validation of the German Version of the Return-to-Work Self-Efficacy Scale

Marieke Hansmann (), Johannes Beller, Friederike Maurer and Christoph Kröger
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Marieke Hansmann: Department of Psychology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany
Johannes Beller: Medical Sociology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Friederike Maurer: Department of Psychology, Technical University Brunswick, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
Christoph Kröger: Department of Psychology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Return-to-work self-efficacy (RTW-SE) is an important predictor of the duration until employees return to work after a sickness-related absence. The aim of the present validation study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the German RTW-SE scale. Data were obtained from three independent samples of employees who were in outpatient care due to mental disorders or musculoskeletal diseases ( n 1 = 301, n 2 = 103, n 3 = 104). Confirmatory factor analyses showed an inadequate fit for a one-factor solution and an acceptable fit for a two-factor model that distinguished by item-wording direction. To test whether the two factors represent substantively different dimensions of the construct or rather a statistical item-wording effect, two subscales were formed based on item-wording direction. As the subscales were not differentially associated with external measures, the one-factor solution may be considered appropriate. The scale showed good to excellent internal consistency values over time and across samples, had low retest reliability indices, and indicated construct validity based on moderate to high associations with cognitive and disease-related variables. The results further demonstrated the scale’s sensitivity to change. The RTW-SE baseline score predicted physical performance and pain-related psychological impairment after orthopedic rehabilitation. In multiple regression analysis, RTW-SE remained a significant predictor of pain-related psychological impairment but not physical performance, partially demonstrating the predictive validity of the scale. The German version of the RTW-SE scale demonstrated satisfactory results regarding its validity and reliability.

Keywords: self-efficacy; return-to-work; vocational rehabilitation; psychotherapy; validation study; psychometrics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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