Predicting readiness to return to work in a population with multiple sclerosis

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Pack, Tresvil G. | Szirony, Gary M.

Affiliations: University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR, USA

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Tresvil G. Pack, Ph.D., CRC, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Department of C.A.R.E., Maildrop: 224 Ross Hall, 2801 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA. Tel.: + 1 501 683 7084; Fax: + 1 501 683 7305; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Return to work is a key concept in vocational rehabilitation. Predicting readiness to return to work is salient to the process of vocational rehabilitation for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. An individual's readiness to return to work has been shown to be an effective predictor of that person's actual return to work. A survey of a population of persons with MS (N = 663) was analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Severity of symptoms appeared to predict reported readiness to return to work over other factors. Issues including the relationship of self-efficacy to readiness to return to work are discussed. Further research is recommended.

Keywords: Return to work, multiple sclerosis, MS, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-478

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 91-105, 2009