HOW COULD I EVEN THINK OF A JOB - AMBIGUITIES IN WORKING LIFE IN A GROUP OF FEMALE-PATIENTS WITH UNDEFINED MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Objective -To explore the meaning of working life for a group of women sick-listed because of undefined, musculoskeletal pain disorders. Des ign -Repeated thematic interviews, analysed qualitatively according to grounded theory. Setting and participants -Twenty female patients, im paired by biomedically undefined pain and musculoskeletal disorders, w ere successively recruited at an urban primary health care centre in n orthern Sweden. Main findings -There were discrepancies between work a spirations and work experiences concerning economic maintenance, socia l interaction, and personal recognition. The women had low-income jobs in fields threatened by redundancy, such as cleaning, care, and servi ce. Family considerations had a strong impact on organization and prio rities in paid work. in a situation of pain and sick leave, family ori entation strengthened and work aspirations declined. Social and person al recognition was sought in the unpaid duties at home, and economic r efuge in 'the state as supporter'. Implications -To understand women w ith undefined musculoskeletal pain as patients, we must also understan d their aspirations and experiences as workers, mothers, and spouses. 'Family considerations', 'diminishing paid work', and 'the state as su pporter' are important concepts for understanding the women's sick rol e process.