High-priority employment concerns of Hispanics/Latinos with multiple sclerosis in the United States

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Much of previous research on multiple sclerosis (MS) and employment has focused on people of European descent who acquire the disease, and very little is known about the experiences and concerns of people with MS from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (e.g., African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos), even though evidence indicates that the incidence of MS is increasing among non-Caucasians worldwide. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify high-priority employment concerns from Hispanics/Latinos with MS, whose needs for services and supports must be better understood to increase rehabilitation success of people with MS. METHODS: This article presents descriptive findings from a national survey of the employment concerns of Hispanics/Latinos with multiple sclerosis (MS; N=206). Representing nine chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, respondents were asked to evaluate 38 employment concerns items on two dimensions, importance and satisfaction, for the purpose of identifying strengths and weaknesses in the employment policies and practices affecting the labor force participation of people with MS. RESULTS: Results revealed a total of 29 employment strengths and nine employment weaknesses. CONCLUSION: Implications of these findings for rehabilitation policy and service delivery are examined.