Activity Adjustment in Response to Chronic Back Pain

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore work and leisure adjustment in nurses with a chronic work-related back injury. A face-to-face individual interview was conducted with ten female nurses, aged 35-49 years, recruited from a pain clinic. The acquisition of a disability due to an occupational accident not only resulted in a loss of earnings, but also generated a complete set of adaptive tasks for the nurse and her family. The themes that emerged from content analysis of interviews with ten nurses included the need for constant adaptation in daily routines, the need for instrumental and emotional support, specific role adaptations, leisure participation, and involvement in the Workers' Compensation system. Work and leisure adjustment was an added adaptive task that determined an individual's adjustment outcome. Future research and services should attend to adjustment styles in work and leisure.