The aim of this study was to explore how functional ability, coping and health were related to work and benefit status three years after participating in a four-week inpatient interdisciplinary occupational rehabilitation program.

The cohort consisted of 338 individuals (75% females, mean age 51 years (SD=8.6)) who three years earlier had participated in a comprehensive inpatient interdisciplinary occupational rehabilitation program, due to long-term sick leave. The participants answered standardised questionnaires about subjective health complaints, functional ability, coping, and current work and benefit status. The relationships between these variables were analysed using logistic regression analyses.

At the time of the survey, 59% of the participants worked at least 50% of a full working day. Twenty-five percent received at least 50% disability pension and 16% received other benefits. Poor functional ability (OR 4.8; CI 3.0–7.6), poor general health (OR 3.8; CI 2.3–6.1), high level of subjective health complaints (OR 3.3; CI 2.1–5.2), low coping (OR 2.8; CI 1.7–4.4), poor physical fitness (OR 2.8; CI 1.7–4.6) and poor sleep quality (OR 2.4; CI 1.5–3.7) were associated with receiving allowances. In a fully adjusted model, only poor functional ability and low coping were associated with receiving allowances three years after occupational rehabilitation.

Functional ability and coping were the variables most strongly associated with not having returned to work. More attention should therefore be paid to enhance these factors in occupational rehabilitation programs. Part-time work may be a feasible way to integrate individuals with reduced workability in working life, if the alternative is complete absence from work.