Difficulty in ‘Return-to-Work’ After Whiplash Injury: The Role of Pain Self-Efficacy in Mediating the Effects of Neck Disability on Perceived Difficulty in the Return to Work Process

Abstract

Successful rehabilitation of whiplash injuries is a concern for patients, practitioners and third party payers. Despite advances in scientific knowledge and developments in the field of medical investigations and imaging techniques over recent years, recovery from whiplash injury following motor vehicle accident remains uncertain and controversial. Ongoing symptomatology has been associated with limitations in returning to work and home functioning, however, relationships between neck disability, perceived difficulty in return to work and ability to cope with functional demands despite the pain, have been not been explored. This study examined the relationships between these factors by identifying what daily functional activities were difficult for whiplash injured workers, and also comparing the individual's ability to function despite the pain (pain self-efficacy), with ongoing neck disability (NDI) and perceived difficulty in the return to work process.