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Ponzio M, Podda J, Pignattelli E, Verri A, Persechino B, Vitturi BK, Bandiera P, Manacorda T, Inglese M, Durando P, Battaglia MA. Work Difficulties in People with Multiple Sclerosis. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2023:10.1007/s10926-023-10149-9. [PMID: 37921967 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10149-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study identifies potential predictors of unemployment and describes specific work difficulties and their determinants in a subgroup of employed people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The specific work difficulties were evaluated using a validated tool that measures the impact of respondents' symptoms and of workplace features. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out in Italy during 2021-2022. The subjects included were adults (18-65 years) with a diagnosis of MS, currently employed or unemployed. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between each potential determinant and employment status, while linear regression models were used to determine the association between determinants and specific work difficulties. RESULTS The main risk factors associated with a higher risk of being unemployed were being older, living in the South of Italy/islands, and having a higher disability level, while protective factors against unemployment were having a high level of education and 'stable' employment (an open-ended contract). Fatigue was found to be associated with all work difficulties analyzed; mood disorders emerged as the main predictors of mental health-related work difficulties; level of disability and comorbidity significantly impacted physical health-related ones, and a good quality of life was found to improve both workplace-related and mental health-related difficulties at work. CONCLUSION Identifying the most significant difficulties is a crucial step in the development of vocational rehabilitation interventions tailored to maximize the ability of PwMS to handle their job-related duties and demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Ponzio
- Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Research, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, via Operai 40, 16149, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Jessica Podda
- Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Pignattelli
- Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Verri
- Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Bandiera
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM), Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Matilde Inglese
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI), Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Durando
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Alberto Battaglia
- Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genoa, Italy
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Moccia M, Fontana L, Palladino R, Falco F, Finiello F, Fedele M, Lanzillo R, Reppuccia L, Triassi M, Brescia Morra V, Iavicoli I. Determinants of early working impairments in multiple sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1062847. [PMID: 36570442 PMCID: PMC9784221 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1062847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Unemployment can directly affect social status and identity. Assessing and adjusting determinants of early working impairments in a chronic disease can thus reduce its long-term burden. Hereby, we aim to evaluate differences in occupational history and early working impairments between people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy workers. Methods This is a cross-sectional study comparing 71 workers with MS [age 41.7 ± 9.4 years; females 59.1%; EDSS 2.0 (1.0-6.0)] and 71 controls (age 42.6 ± 11.9 years; females 33.8%). All participants filled in Work Ability Index (WAI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), European Questionnaire for Quality of Life (EuroQoL), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In MS, we further collected expanded disability status scale (EDSS), MS Questionnaire for Job difficulties (MSQ-Job), Fatigue severity scale (FSS), and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS). Results Workers with MS were more working disabled (p < 0.01), less exposed to workplace risks (p < 0.01), and more limited in fitness to work (p = 0.01), compared with controls. On linear regression models adjusted by age, sex, education, and type of contract, people with MS had worse WAI (Coeff=-5.47; 95% CI = -7.41, -3.53; p < 0.01), EuroQoL (Coeff = -4.24; 95% CI = -17.85, -6.50; p < 0.01), BDI-II (Coeff = 3.99; 95% CI = 2.37, 7.01; p < 0.01), and PSQI (Coeff = 4.74; 95% CI = 3.13, 7.61; p < 0.01), compared with controls, but no differences in WPAI (p = 0.60). EuroQoL, BDI-II, and PSQI were equally associated with both WAI and WPAI in MS and controls (all p< 0.01). In MS, worse MSQJob was associated with higher EDSS (Coeff = 5.22; 95% CI = 2.24, 7.95; p < 0.01), progressive disease (Coeff = 14.62; 95% CI = 5.56, 23.69; p < 0.01), EuroQoL (Coeff = 4.63; 95% CI = 2.92, 6.35; p < 0.01), FSS (Coeff = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.38, 0.72; p < 0.01), and cognitive impairment (Coeff = 4.42; 95% CI = 0.67, 8.22; p = 0.02). Discussion Early factors associated with working difficulties in MS include disability, fatigue, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Early identification of clinical features potentially causing working difficulties should be considered to enhance job retention, along with targeted prevention and protection measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Moccia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy,Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy,*Correspondence: Marcello Moccia
| | - Luca Fontana
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Palladino
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy,Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fabrizia Falco
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Finiello
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Fedele
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Lanzillo
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Liberata Reppuccia
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Triassi
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Vitturi BK, Rahmani A, Dini G, Montecucco A, Debarbieri N, Sbragia E, Bandiera P, Ponzio M, Battaglia MA, Manacorda T, Persechino B, Buresti G, Inglese M, Durando P. Occupational outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058948. [PMID: 35777874 PMCID: PMC9252209 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To update the knowledge on the occupational outcomes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), systematically examine the extent, scope and nature of the pre-existing literature and identify research gaps in the existing literature. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES A comprehensive database search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SciVerse ScienceDirect and Web of Science was performed. There were no time limits. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included any peer-reviewed original article reporting the occupational outcomes of people with MS between the ages of 18 and 65 years. We excluded those off-topic and with insufficient information. METHODS This review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping review checklist. Screening, reading of full-texts and data extraction was performed in a standardised way by expert reviewers from 14 July 2021 to 31 October 2021. We provided a narrative synthesis and an overview of findings. RESULTS The initial systematic search yielded 104 228 results. After removing duplicates and applying the exclusion criteria, 403 articles were included in the review. In total, the studies evaluated 492 062 subjects with MS. One hundred fifty-four (38.2%) articles were published in the last 5 years, mostly from Europe and North America (50.9% and 33.0%, respectively). Concerning the occupational outcomes, studies mostly addressed unemployment (311, 77.2%), early retirement (120, 29.8%), disability pension (117, 29.0%), sick leave (77, 19.1%), the indirect cost of MS (74, 18.4%) and work characteristics (57, 14.1%). The results were categorised into seven subtopics: 'Changes in work and occupational status due to MS', 'work-related socio-economic consequences of MS', 'risk factors for unfavourable occupational outcomes', 'reported barriers to employment', 'reported job accommodations and vocational rehabilitation strategies', 'job satisfaction, stigma, and disclosing the diagnosis in the workplace' and 'rating clinical scales'. CONCLUSIONS There are several issues that deserve further in-depth study by the scientific community in order to improve the occupational outcomes of people with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alborz Rahmani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Dini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Montecucco
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Debarbieri
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elvira Sbragia
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bandiera
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM), Genoa, Italy
| | - Michela Ponzio
- Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Alberto Battaglia
- Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association, Genoa, Italy
- Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), Genova, Italy
- Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Matilde Inglese
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Durando
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Brucker DL, Henly M, Rafal M. The association of disability status with job tenure for U.S. workers. Work 2022; 72:109-117. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-205004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Job tenure is a useful economic indicator. To employees, longer job tenure creates higher rewards in pay, promotion opportunities, and job security. For employers, there are fewer costs in recruitment and retraining when job turnover is low. Marginalized populations, such as persons with disabilities, may find work in various economies, but retention is more difficult. They are often the first to be laid off in struggling economies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to highlight differences in individual and employment-related factors associated with job tenure for American workers with and without disabilities. METHODS: Using newly available survey data (N = 1,538), OLS regression is used to estimate job tenure for workers with and without disabilities, controlling for worker sociodemographic characteristics, a job quality index, and job characteristics. All disability types are examined. RESULTS: Multivariate results show that workers with disabilities have shorter job tenure than others when controlling for job quality, individual characteristics and job characteristics. CONCLUSION: Employees with disabilities have shorter job tenure than those without. Given the benefits of lengthened job tenure, further efforts should be made to explore this issue and to develop effective strategies that help those with disabilities retain jobs long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra L. Brucker
- Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Megan Henly
- Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Marisa Rafal
- Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
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Young CA, Mills R, Langdon D, Sharrack B, Majeed T, Kalra S, Footitt D, Rog D, Harrower T, Nicholas R, Woolmore J, Thorpe J, Hanemann CO, Ford H, Paling D, Ellis C, Palace J, Constantinescu C, Tennant A. The four self-efficacy trajectories among people with multiple sclerosis: Clinical associations and implications. J Neurol Sci 2022; 436:120188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Young CA, Mills R, Rog D, Sharrack B, Majeed T, Constantinescu CS, Kalra S, Harrower T, Santander H, Courtald G, Ford HL, Woolmore J, Tennant A. Quality of life in multiple sclerosis is dominated by fatigue, disability and self-efficacy. J Neurol Sci 2021; 426:117437. [PMID: 33991718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) reflects complex relationships between symptoms (fatigue, spasticity pain, and bladder or vision dysfunction), disability, health perceptions, and self-efficacy. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, a self-report questionnaire pack of patient reported outcome measures was collected from 5695 people with MS (pwMS) alongside clinical data from their neurologists. Each patient reported outcome measure was converted to interval-scaled estimates following fit to the Rasch model. The patient reported outcome measures, as well as perceived health, age, disease subtype and gender, were then subject to path analysis to analyse their relationships with quality of life (QoL), guided by the Wilson and Clearly conceptual framework. RESULTS The final model explains 81.2% of the variance of QoL. Fatigue is clearly dominant, suggesting a means to intervene and improve QoL. The next most influential factors were disability and self-efficacy, which have similar effect levels. The model can be replicated for pwMS on disease modifying therapy and is largely invariant for gender and disease subtype. Age had an insignificant effect. CONCLUSIONS In order to promote better QoL, MS care should include management of fatigue, interventions to ameliorate disability, and support to enhance self-efficacy. The range of skills needed for these treatments will require input from medical, nursing, therapy and psychology staff, so these findings provide evidence substantiating the need for pwMS to be provided with care by comprehensive multidisciplinary teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Young
- Walton Centre NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK; University of Liverpool, UK,.
| | - Roger Mills
- Walton Centre NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK; University of Liverpool, UK,.
| | - David Rog
- Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
| | - Basil Sharrack
- Academic Department of Neurology and NIHR Translational Neuroscience BRC, University of Sheffield, UK.
| | | | | | - Seema Kalra
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alan Tennant
- Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
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Factors associated with employment and expected work retention among persons with multiple sclerosis: findings of a cross-sectional citizen science study. J Neurol 2020; 267:3069-3082. [PMID: 32529580 PMCID: PMC7501110 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09973-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) notably affects adults of working age. For persons with MS (PwMS), being employed enhances their quality of life and it may be regarded as an indicator of overall functioning. Thus, ensuring work participation in PwMS is of general public health interest. Objective To examine relevant socio-demographic, MS-, health- and work-related factors, including psychosocial working conditions, associated with currently working PwMS in Switzerland and their expected work retention. Methods Using cross-sectional data of PwMS in the Swiss MS Registry (n = 541, median age = 48 [IQR 40;55]), multivariable logistic regression models were computed. First, currently working PwMS were characterised in comparison with those not currently working. Second, expected work retention, operationalized as subjective judgement “likely to work in the same job in 2 years”, was examined within the group of currently working PwMS. Results The factors age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92–0.99), sex (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13–0.60), highest achieved job position (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.46), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04) and the number of MS symptoms (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.98) were associated with currently working PwMS. Moreover, HRQoL (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.10) and psychosocial working conditions, such as job resources (e.g. autonomy, control or social support) (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.50–5.33) and job demands (e.g. workload, time pressure) (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18–0.90) were important factors for expected work retention among this group. Conclusions Resourceful psychosocial working conditions are crucial for PwMS to maintain employment. Employers could contribute to work retention among PwMS by creating a work environment with resourceful psychosocial working conditions and providing, for instance, social support. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00415-020-09973-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Thompson L, Ford HL, Stroud A, Madill A. Managing the (In)visibility of Chronic Illness at Work: Dialogism, Parody, and Reported Speech. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2019; 29:1213-1226. [PMID: 30741102 DOI: 10.1177/1049732319825843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Interactionally, the workplace may be dilemmatic for a person with "invisible" chronic illness. Risks of stigmatization exist if they disclose their condition to colleagues. Meanwhile, not disclosing threatens well-being and entitlements. Using Bakhtin's dialogism as a theoretical framework, we explored these social aspects of illness: inductively analyzing narratives from 20 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS). Capitalizing on concepts from dialogical and conversation analysis, links between (in)visibility, knowledge, and belief were examined with respect to symptoms and co-worker judgment. Perceived medical legitimacy creates a core social dilemma. At the intersection of genre and action, participants systematically used parody to subvert the traditional workplace hierarchy. "Oh-prefaced" direct reported speech (OPDRS) was deployed to exaggerate workplace interactions, undermining managers/colleagues who misattributed (in)visible symptoms. Parodic OPDRS index emotive interactional dilemmas. As subversions of organizational power, OPDRS denote those very areas where employees feel disempowered. Sensitivity to OPDRS can provide diagnostic support and complement evaluation frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Thompson
- 1 Centre for Sustainable Working Life, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L Ford
- 2 The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anna Madill
- 3 University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Thompson L, Ford H, Stroud A, Madill A. Tortoise or hare? Supporting the chronotope preference of employees with fluctuating chronic illness symptoms. Psychol Health 2019; 34:695-714. [PMID: 30693807 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2019.1565128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aim is to understand how to facilitate the job retention of employees with chronic illness. We focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) as a criterion chronic illness. DESIGN An opportunity sample of 20 individuals of working age (13 female; 7 male) were recruited who had been in paid employment for over 28 months with a concurrent diagnosis of MS. Participants took part in one of three focus groups with a topic guide comprising keywords: work, coping, performance, support, future, expectations, sharing and symptoms. Data were analysed using dialogical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES As a qualitative study, no outcome measure was used. However, the specific focus of interest was to search for differential patterns of 'timespace' - chronotope - that people with chronic illness utilise to manage their condition in the workplace. RESULTS Participants oriented to two distinct chronotope types: unsustainable epic (characterised by condensed time) and temporary idyll (characterized by condensed space). Perceived managerial discretion was identified as possibly influencing participants' chronotope preference. CONCLUSION Identifying chronotope preference has practical implications for health psychologists and related professionals who provide and advise on support to facilitate people with chronic illness to thrive in the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Thompson
- a Centre for Sustainable Working Life , Birkbeck University of London , London , UK
| | - Helen Ford
- b Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust , Leeds , UK
| | | | - Anna Madill
- c School of Psychology, University of Leeds , Leeds , UK
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