Self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Does personality matter?

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, vol. 427, pp. 117561

Abstract

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) poses a major threat to sustainable employability. Identifying conditions and factors that promote work participation is of great importance. Our objective was to explore the contribution of personality traits in explaining occupational functioning in MS. Methods 241 participants with relapsing-remitting MS (78% female, median age: 42.0 years, median EDSS: 2.0) and 60 healthy controls (70% female, median age: 45.0 years) underwent neuropsychological and neurological examinations and completed questionnaires. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relations between personality traits and self-reported occupational functioning, while accounting for known correlates. Results Personality traits were not associated with self-reported occupational functioning when correcting for known correlates. A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = . 005 and B = -0.04, p = . 009) and depression (B = -0.22, p = .008 and B = -0.21, p = . 01) were associated with no paid job (R 2 = 0.13) and considering to reduce work hours (R 2 = 0.12). A higher impact of fatigue (B = -0.05, p = . 008, β = 0.46, p = . 001 and β = −0.36, p = . 001) was associated with absenteeism from work (R 2 = 0.15), more presenteeism (R 2 = 0.35) and lower work ability (R 2 = 0.25). A higher impact of fatigue (β = 0.46, p = . 001) and anxiety (β = 0.25, p = . 001) were associated with more work difficulties (R 2 = 0.54). Conclusion Personality traits did not explain additional variance in self-reported occupational functioning in persons with relapsing-remitting MS with mild disability. The impact of fatigue was the main and most consistent correlate of occupational functioning, often combined with depression or anxiety. Total explained variance of the models was limited, emphasizing the need to additionally examine other (contextual) factors when considering occupational challenges in MS.

Authors 18

1. Karin van der Hiele corresponding Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Medical and Neuropsychology Unit

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: hiele@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

   Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Dennis A. M. van Gorp

   University of Humanistic Studies

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands

3. Elianne E. A. van Egmond Aachen Institute of Psychology, Health Medical and Neuropsychology Unit

   Leiden University · University of Humanistic Studies · Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands; University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands; National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

   Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

   Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands

   National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

   University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands

4. Peter Joseph Jongen

   University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen · MS4 Research Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands

   MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

   University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, Groningen, the Netherlands

5. Michiel Felix Reneman

   University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Centre for Rehabilitation, Haren, the Netherlands

6. Jac J. L. van der Klink

   Tilburg University · North-West University

   Affiliation as printed

   Tilburg University, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlspark, South Africa

   Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlspark, South Africa

   Tilburg University, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg, the Netherlands

7. E.P.J. Arnoldus

   Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

8. E. A. C. Beenakker

   Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden

   Affiliation as printed

   Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Department of Neurology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands

9. J.J.J. van Eijk

   Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Jeroen Bosch Hospital, Department of Neurology's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands

10. Stephan T F M Frequin

    St. Antonius Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    St. Antonius Hospital, Department of Neurology, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands

11. Koen de Gans

    Groene Hart Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    Groene Hart Hospital, Department of Neurology, Gouda, the Netherlands

12. G.J.D. Hengstman
    Affiliation as printed

    Upendo MS Clinic, Boxtel, the Netherlands

13. Elske Hoitsma Aachen Department of Neurology, Leiden

    Alrijne Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    Alrijne Hospital Leiden, Department of Neurology, Leiden, the Netherlands

14. O.H.H. Gerlach

    Zuyderland Medisch Centrum

    Affiliation as printed

    Zuyderland Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands

15. Wim I.M. Verhagen

    Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

16. Marco A. P. Heerings

    Radboud University Medical Center · Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

17. H.A.M. Middelkoop Aachen Department of Neurology, Leiden Institute of Psychology, Health Medical and Neuropsychology Unit

    Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Leiden, the Netherlands

    Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Leiden, the Netherlands

    Leiden University, Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden, the Netherlands

18. Leo H. Visser

    University of Humanistic Studies · Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

    Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Department of Neurology, Tilburg, the Netherlands

    University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands