The role of psychological disturbance in extending disability time among compensable back injured industrial workers.

Work-related injuries are invariably related to protracted disability; however, confusion abounds concerning the genesis of this phenomenon. The present study examined the linkage between psychological disturbance and protracted disability in patients with work-related and non work-related injuries. A comparison was made between 1373 patients injured at work and 417 patients injured away from work on the variables of psychological disturbance and disability time. High but comparable levels of psychological disturbance were identified for both groups. People injured on the job were disabled longer, independent of psychological status.