| Abstrakt: |
Abstract: Aims: Although work ability has been extensively explored in the occupational setting, this issue is only marginally studied among the unemployed. In the presented study, we examine whether long-term unemployed persons regard themselves as able to work, and we analyse their employability in specific sub-groups as well as compare it with the work ability of the general population. Subjects and method: The data were collected in three European cities, Frankfurt/Main, Warsaw and Graz. The participants were recruited in social institutions that help people find employment. The evaluation instrument of employability was the first dimension of Work Ability Index developed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki. Additionally, socio-demographic features were enquired. Results: Compared to the representative Finnish adult population, the study sample has significantly lower work ability scores. The Kruskal-Wallis test shows no significant differences among study samples of the long-term unemployed regarding their experience and evaluation of work ability in relation to their country of origin. Noteworthy, we found significant differences among the analysed groups of the long-term unemployed, e.g. persons with health impairments regarded their work ability significantly lower than other groups. According to the Pearson’s correlations, work ability is significantly and negatively associated with length of unemployment and age. Conclusions: There is no single level of work ability among the long-term unemployed. Furthermore, the work ability decreases with the length of unemployment as well as with age. In the context of high rates of unemployment, it is important for health promotion and labour market integrating programmes to maintain and stabilise work ability in due consideration of a need to conceptualise problem-orientated measures for these vulnerable groups. |
Full text from SpringerLink