Vortrag von

• Herrn Haitze de Vries, Universitätsklinikum Groningen

Cognitions and behaviors of significant others (SOs) in the personal environment, such as a partner, family member or friend, can play an important role in health outcomes of individuals with a chronic disease. Significant others can be an important resource for individuals to help them successfully adapt to a chronic disease and to manage one's own (working) life, but may also be an important barrier. In the clinical setting it has been shown that the behavior of SOs is related to perceived symptoms and behavior of individuals with a chronic disease, thereby influencing recovery and treatment effects, quality of life and disability. However, research on the influence of SOs on work outcomes is scarce. Therefore, we initiated new research to learn more about the influence of SOs on work participation of workers with a chronic disease. The first results will be presented during the seminar.

In a systematic review we aimed to identify cognitions and behaviors of SOs that are related to work participation of individuals with a chronic disease. Subsequently, through a survey among occupational health professionals, we examined to what extent they currently assess cognitions and behaviors of SOs of workers with a chronic disease in their daily practice. In this survey study, we also explored occupational health professionals' reasons whether or not to assess cognitions and behaviors of SOs. During four focus groups among workers with a chronic disease, we gained insight into their views on involving their significant others in occupational health care, and how this should be implemented. Furthermore, as quantitative evidence on cognitions and behaviors of SOs related to work participation is scarce, a prospective cohort study has recently started to investigate which (interpersonal) cognitive behavioral factors in worker-SO dyads are relevant in terms of impeding and facilitating return to work. The results of these studies about the influence of SOs on work participation will be processed into an e-learning training for occupational health professionals, which will be evaluated in 2020.