Illness perception,work,back pain, and significant others

People out of work due to persistent low back pain tended to self limit their ability to work and were supported in their beliefs by their partner.

To justify this, this group became fixed in the belief that this was so and it became crucial that the individual with back pain was perceived as completely disabled.

It is suggested that partners of individuals with low back pain are a potentially detrimental source of support. It may be useful to include partners in vocational rehabilitation programmes

Brooks et., Musculoskeletal Disorders 2013 14(48)