Factors contributing to job satisfaction following rehabilitation for musculoskeletal impairments

The study investigates whether changing jobs is related to work-related well-being of people with musculoskeletal impairments. In order to assess this relationship subjects who began new jobs after rehabilitation (N=52) were compared with subjects who returned to their former employment (N=63). Work-related well-being was measured by means of the scales job satisfaction and need to recover after work. After controlling for individual characteristics (gender, age, working hours per week, and pain complaints) and job characteristics (job demands and decision latitude), job satisfaction could be predicted by job change. Recovery need after work was predicted by pain complaints, job demands, and decision latitude, but not by job change.