Age Differences in Return-to-Work Following Injury: Understanding the Role of Age Dimensions Across Longitudinal Follow-up.

Abstract

To examine the overall association between chronological age and return-to-work (RTW), and understand if existing data could be used to better understand the role of age-related dimensions (functional, psychosocial, organizational, life-stage) in explaining these associations. We used survey data from a prospective cohort of injured workers in Victoria, Australia. Path models examined the relationship between chronological age and RTW, and the proportion mediated via age dimensions. Older chronological age was associated with non-RTW, although the pattern was not observed consistently across follow-up surveys. A proportion of the overall relationship between chronological age and non-RTW was explained by functional and life-stage age and RTW status at previous time points. Findings underscore the importance of moving beyond age measured only in chronological years, towards more complex conceptual and analytical models that recognize age as a multidimensional construct.