The role of self-help groups in promoting self-confidence and hope for the future among people on sick leave in Norway: The importance of educational level

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nordenmark, Mikael^{a; *} | Landstad, Bodil^{a; b} | Hedlund, Marianne^{c; d}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden | [b] Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Norway | [c] Faculty of Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway | [d] Department of Social Work and Health Science, NTNU, Norway

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Mikael Nordenmark, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden. Tel.: +46 (0)10 1428515; E-mail: mikael.nordenmark@miun.se.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Vocational rehabilitation is important for supporting long-term sick-listed employees in returning to work or continuing in working life. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to analyse self-confidence and hope for the future among people on sick leave in Norway who joined a self-help group, with a special focus on the importance of educational level. METHODS:109 persons who completed a 20-week program at a rehabilitation centre in the middle of Norway during the years 2007-2012 answered questions related to the importance of emotions as either motivating or discouraging forces influencing the individual’s return to work. The response rate was 52 percent. RESULTS:Eighty-five percent of participants who joined a self-help group stated that the group helped them to tackle everyday life better than before. Low-educated participants in the self-help group, to a greater extent than high-educated, stated that the self-help group had increased their self-confidence and hope for the future. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:Most of those who participated in the self-help group stated that joining a group increased their self-confidence and hope for the future. Motivational factors, such as hope for the future and self-confidence, can be important factors in the rehabilitation process, as they can enhance sick people’s motivation to participate in rehabilitation and re-think their future prospects of returning to work.

Keywords: Mental illness, vocational rehabilitation, psychological processes

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203116

Journal: Work, vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 617-623, 2020