Characteristics of disability pensioners returning to work: an interview study among individuals with musculoskeletal disorders.

Purpose: To explore adaptation patterns among disability pensioners with musculoskeletal disorders returning to work by means of the Swedish law on 'resting disability pension'.

Method: Qualitative analyses of interviews with 17 individuals going back to work.

Results: Three adaptation patterns were identified: The Go-getter, the Realist and the Indifferent. These differed regarding influence factors, own expectations, motive, morals and mentality.

Conclusion: Several actors may support a return to work for individuals who received a disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders. In order to succeed, however, it is essential that the disability pensioner is motivated for a reconstruction of his/her life.