Barriers to and Facilitators of Employment among Americans with Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Qualitative Focus Group Study | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Bolton, B. F., Bellini, J. L., & Brookings, J. B.
Year Published	2016
Publication	Journal of Rehabilitation
Volume	82
Number	2
Pages	59-69
Publisher	National Rehabilitation Association
Background	Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and chronic neurological disease. There are approximately 450, 000 people living in the United States who have been diagnosed with MS. These people can experience a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue, mobility problems, visual impairments and much more. Due to these symptoms employment retention and acquisition can be challenging.
Purpose	This research focuses on two primary questions. One, what are the most commonly reported barriers and facilitators to employment that are identified by people with MS? Two, what are the most commonly reported employment information and resource needs reported by people with MS?
Setting	Participants were recruited from five stakeholder groups of people with physical disabilities. These groups included the National MS Society, United Spinal Cord Injury Association, World Institute on Disability, United Cerebral Palsy, and National Centers for Independent Living.
Sample	Participants in this study were 25 predominantly Caucasian (n=18, 72%) females (n=19, 76%) between 18 and 64 years of age.
Data Collection	Telephone focus groups were conducted and provided transcripts for the research team to analyze using NVivo 10 using a conventional qualitative content analysis approach.
Control	There was no control group.
Findings	There were three main themes (and additional sub-themes) as a result of this research. Participants reported facing future uncertainty, feeling a sense of loss, and discussed issues related to navigating the workplace.
Conclusions	Vocational Rehabilitation counselors would benefit by increased knowledge around the issues that people with MS face in the workplace, especially in the area if disclosure.
URL	http://www.worksupport.com/documents/116767876.pdf
Disabilities
Populations	Male & Female \| White / Caucasian
Outcomes	Other
NIDILRR Funded	Yes
Research Design	Qualitative
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2016

Publication

Journal of Rehabilitation

Volume

82

Number

2

Pages

59-69

Publisher

National Rehabilitation Association

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and chronic neurological disease. There are approximately 450, 000 people living in the United States who have been diagnosed with MS. These people can experience a wide variety of symptoms including fatigue, mobility problems, visual impairments and much more. Due to these symptoms employment retention and acquisition can be challenging.

Purpose

This research focuses on two primary questions. One, what are the most commonly reported barriers and facilitators to employment that are identified by people with MS? Two, what are the most commonly reported employment information and resource needs reported by people with MS?

Setting

Participants were recruited from five stakeholder groups of people with physical disabilities. These groups included the National MS Society, United Spinal Cord Injury Association, World Institute on Disability, United Cerebral Palsy, and National Centers for Independent Living.

Sample

Participants in this study were 25 predominantly Caucasian (n=18, 72%) females (n=19, 76%) between 18 and 64 years of age.

Data Collection

Telephone focus groups were conducted and provided transcripts for the research team to analyze using NVivo 10 using a conventional qualitative content analysis approach.

Control

There was no control group.

Findings

There were three main themes (and additional sub-themes) as a result of this research. Participants reported facing future uncertainty, feeling a sense of loss, and discussed issues related to navigating the workplace.

Conclusions

Vocational Rehabilitation counselors would benefit by increased knowledge around the issues that people with MS face in the workplace, especially in the area if disclosure.

URL

http://www.worksupport.com/documents/116767876.pdf

Disabilities

Populations

Male & Female | White / Caucasian

Outcomes

Other

NIDILRR Funded

Yes

Research Design

Qualitative

Peer Reviewed

Yes