Occupational Medicine 1996;46:25-32
© 1996 Society of Occupational Medicine
Do Attitudes and Beliefs Influence Work Loss Due to Low Back Trouble?
* Spinal Research Unit, The University of Huddersfield Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
Department of Behavioural Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust Salford, M6 8HD, UK Rheumatic Diseases Centre, University of Manchester Manchester, UK
Recent evidence indicates that the influence of psychosocial factors on low back disability is as great as, if not greater than, ergonomic aspects; negative attitudes and beliefs are likely to be related to absenteeism. To measure workers attitudes and beliefs about low-back trouble, pain, work and activity five questionnaires were used. Two new instruments (Back Beliefs Questionnaire and Psychosocial Aspects of Work questionnaire) were developed and tested. The attitudes and beliefs were measured among workers in a biscuit manufacturing factory, and the responses related to absenteeism. Workers who had taken in excess of one week's absence due to low-back trouble had significantly more negative attitudes and beliefs when compared with workers who had taken shorter absence (or indeed those reporting no history of back trouble). A subset of the psychosocial parameters accounted for 32% of the variance in absence. Interventions designed to reduce negative attitudes and promote positive beliefs may help to reduce detrimental, inappropriate longer-term absenteeism due to low-back trouble.
Keywords absence; attitudes; back pain; beliefs; low back trouble; psychosocial; work loss; industry
Received 11 April 1995
Accepted 30 May 1995
Correspondence and reprint requests to:Dr K. Burton, 30 Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP, UK. Phone: +44 (0)1484 424329: Fax: +44 (0)1484 435744.
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