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

OBJECTIVES: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.