Individual status at the start of rehabilitation: Implications for vocational rehabilitation programs

This research investigated the situation of 143 unemployed sick leavers at the start of vocational rehabilitation in Sweden. It is argued in this paper that in order to gain a meaningful picture of the vocational rehabilitation process it is necessary to know and understand something of individual differences and status at the onset. In doing so, assessment was carried out of the possible influence of one contextual factor and five individual factors on health, duration of sick leave and unemployment. Findings suggest that individual differences exist in health status, length of sick leave and unemployment, at the upstart of vocational rehabilitating. Locus of control was found to exert important influence on the differences between the individuals in the study sample, with persons of external locus of control having a less favourable point of departure at the start of vocational rehabilitation compared to other groups. It is therefore assumed that these persons will be in greater need of support during the vocational rehabilitation process. The level of unemployment within a geographical area was also found to influence the length of sick leave. Conclusions: Our suggestion is for rehabilitation programs to be developed and selected to match the special needs and differences whether they are of individual or of social nature.