“HE'S ONLY YOUNG AND HE WANTS TO WORK BUT NO-ONE'LL HIRE HIM WITH A BAD BACK, WILL THEY?” FINDINGS FROM AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ‘SIGNIFICANT OTHERS’ ILLNESS PERCEPTIONS IN RELATION TO WORK DISABILITY DUE TO LOW BACK PAIN

BackgroundIndividual illness perceptions have been shown to be important influences on clinical outcomes for low back, yet significant others' illness perceptions are rarely explored, particularly in relation to work disability.MethodSemi-structured interviews based on the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire were conducted with a purposive sample of UK disability benefit claimants, along with their significant others (n=5 dyads). Data were analysed using template analysis.ResultsSignificant others further reinforced and validated claimants' negative beliefs/illness perceptions, including fear of pain/re-injury associated with certain types of work, perceived job inflexibility and/or lack of support from employers. Keen in their desire to be viewed as a ‘good’ spouse/partner/close family member, significant others acted as a ‘witness to pain’, supporting claimants' self-limiting behaviour and statements of incapacity, often responding with assistance and empathy. In some cases, significant others were more p...