Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences

Review the factors Influencing Employment loss in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

1 MSc, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

10.22122/jrrs.v10i7.2025

Abstract

More than 2.5 million people around the world and about 60,000 Iranians suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). MS usually starts during productivity years of life (2nd and 3rd decades). Although employment is one of the main areas of activity for adults and, people with MS lose their jobs very quickly. After diagnosis, about two third of people with MS lose their jobs. Several studies have been completed on factors influencing employment of people with MS but they haven’t considered all aspects related-factors and have a general conclusion on their results is necessary for designing clinical interventions.Web of knowledge, Web of science, Google scholar, Medline, Science direct, EBSCO, SIDS, Magiran, and Medlib were searched to find both qualitative and quantitative articles (published between 1984 and 2013) in English and Farsi related to factors influencing employment of people with MS. Finally 23 articles met inclusion criteria.The factors were categorized in 4 groups: demographic, disease related, personal and environmental factors. Fatigue, cognitive and physical disabilities were known as the most important factors for employment loss. In addition to disability level, disease-related factors and demographic characteristics; the role of environmental, social and cultural factors is significant in MS employment. Hence further studies are required to identify MS employment loss in different socio-cultural conditions in order to choose expeditious interventions and vocational rehabilitation programsKey Words: Multiple sclerosis, Employment loss, Job loss, Unemployment, Employment loss factors, Disease related factors, Individual-based factors, Workplace factors, Socio-cultural factors

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Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Volume 10, Issue 7 - Serial Number 7
February 2015
Pages 906-16