Locus of control and its relationship with vocational rehabilitation of unemployed sick leaves in Sweden

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Millet, Patrick | Sandberg, Karl W.

Affiliations: National Institute for Working Life, Östersund, Sweden

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Pedagogens väg 4, 83140 Östersund, Sweden. Tel.: +46 63 551309; Fax: +46 63 55 13 20; E-mail: patrick.millet@niwl.se

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of locus of control on vocational rehabilitation. To do so, 143 persons on sickness leave were followed for 16 months during and after participation in a vocational rehabilitation program, where the psychological construct, locus of control, was used as a main variable to investigate the success of the program. The findings of the study suggest that the construct locus of control plays an important role in the outcomes of vocational rehabilitation. Perceived health status, the type of rehabilitation program, the accumulated duration of both sick leave and unemployment at the start of rehabilitation and whether dwelling in an urban or a rural area are other factors that also influence. The outcomes development of methods and models that give the individual a greater sense of power and control during the rehabilitating process is indicated, therefore, to increase the individual's internal locus of control. Rehabilitation programs should also use workplace training as often as is possible, as this also increases the likelihood of success.

Keywords: locus of control, vocational rehabilitation programs, outcomes

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 59-66, 2003