Return to work outcomes after work-related hand trauma: the role of causal attributions. J Hand Surg Am 2003 Jul;28(4):673-7
Date
07/25/2003Pubmed ID
12877859DOI
10.1016/s0363-5023(03)00178-3Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0042171672 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 41 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between workers' judgments of responsibility for their accidents (causal attributions) and work-site avoidance after work-related injuries.
METHODS: Ninety-two hand-injured workers referred for psychologic treatment of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were assessed for their beliefs about the cause(s) of their accidents. Causal attributions were obtained before and after psychologic intervention.
RESULTS: Workers who blamed coworkers or equipment for their injuries were more likely to resist returning to former work activities than workers who judged themselves responsible for their accidents. In addition those with relatively minor injuries were as much at risk for work-site avoidance as those with more severe injuries. Age, gender, and length of employment with current employer were unrelated to avoidance.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the importance of causal attributions as potential predictors of work-site avoidance after traumatic work-related hand injuries, and support the risk for psychologic symptom development after less-severe injuries.
Author List
Rusch MD, Dzwierzynski WW, Sanger JR, Pruit NT, Siewert ADAuthors
William W. Dzwierzynski MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinJames R. Sanger MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AbsenteeismAccidents, Occupational
Adolescent
Adult
Employment
Hand Injuries
Humans
Judgment
Male
Middle Aged
Predictive Value of Tests
Risk Factors
Trauma Severity Indices
