Malachy Bishop1, Phillip D Rumrill2, Richard T Roessler3. 1. University of Kentucky, Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling, Lexington, KY, USA. 2. Center for Disability Studies, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA. 3. Independent Rehabilitation Consultant, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This article presents a replication of Rumrill, Roessler, and Fitzgerald's 2004 analysis of a three-factor model of the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on quality of life (QOL). The three factors in the original model included illness-related, employment-related, and psychosocial adjustment factors. OBJECTIVE: To test hypothesized relationships between QOL and illness-related, employment-related, and psychosocial variables using data from a survey of the employment concerns of Americans with MS (N = 1,839). METHODS: An ex post facto, multiple correlational design was employed incorporating correlational and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: QOL was positively related to educational level, employment status, job satisfaction, and job-match, and negatively related to number of symptoms, severity of symptoms, and perceived stress level. The three-factor model explained approximately 37 percent of the variance in QOL scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this replication confirm the continuing value of the three-factor model for predicting the QOL of adults with MS, and demonstrate the importance of medical, mental health, and vocational rehabilitation interventions and services in promoting QOL.
BACKGROUND: This article presents a replication of Rumrill, Roessler, and Fitzgerald's 2004 analysis of a three-factor model of the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on quality of life (QOL). The three factors in the original model included illness-related, employment-related, and psychosocial adjustment factors. OBJECTIVE: To test hypothesized relationships between QOL and illness-related, employment-related, and psychosocial variables using data from a survey of the employment concerns of Americans with MS (N = 1,839). METHODS: An ex post facto, multiple correlational design was employed incorporating correlational and multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: QOL was positively related to educational level, employment status, job satisfaction, and job-match, and negatively related to number of symptoms, severity of symptoms, and perceived stress level. The three-factor model explained approximately 37 percent of the variance in QOL scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this replication confirm the continuing value of the three-factor model for predicting the QOL of adults with MS, and demonstrate the importance of medical, mental health, and vocational rehabilitation interventions and services in promoting QOL.