Work difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis: The role of anxiety, depression and coping

Eea van Egmond; K van der Hiele; Dam van Gorp; P J Jongen; Jjl van der Klink; M F Reneman; Eac Beenakker; Jjj van Eijk; Stfm Frequin; K de Gans; B M van Geel; Ohh Gerlach; Gjd Hengstman; J P Mostert; Wim Verhagen; Ham Middelkoop; L H Visser

doi:10.1177/20552173221116282

Work difficulties in people with multiple sclerosis: The role of anxiety, depression and coping

Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2022 Sep 4;8(3):20552173221116282. doi: 10.1177/20552173221116282. eCollection 2022 Jul-Sep.

Authors

Eea van Egmond^{1

2

3

4}, K van der Hiele², Dam van Gorp⁴, P J Jongen^{5

6}, Jjl van der Klink^{7

8}, M F Reneman⁹, Eac Beenakker¹⁰, Jjj van Eijk¹¹, Stfm Frequin¹², K de Gans¹³, B M van Geel¹⁴, Ohh Gerlach^{15

16

17}, Gjd Hengstman¹⁸, J P Mostert¹⁹, Wim Verhagen²⁰, Ham Middelkoop^{2

21}, L H Visser^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
² Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
³ National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
⁵ MS4 Research Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Community & Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
⁷ Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
⁸ Optentia, North West University of South Africa, Vanderbijlspark, South Africa.
⁹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Centre for Rehabilitation, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Haren, the Netherlands.
¹⁰ Department of Neurology, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.
¹¹ Department of Neurology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
¹² Department of Neurology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
¹³ Department of Neurology, Groene Hart Hospital, the Netherlands.
¹⁴ Department of Neurology, NoordWest Ziekenhuisgroep, the Netherlands.
¹⁵ Department of Neurology, Zuyderland Medical Centre, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands.
¹⁶ Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
¹⁷ Department of Neurology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
¹⁸ Upendo MS Clinic, Boxtel, the Netherlands.
¹⁹ Department of Neurology, Rijnstate Hospital, the Netherlands.
²⁰ Department of Neurology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
²¹ Department of Neurology & Neuropsychology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of anxiety and depression affect the daily life of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined work difficulties and their relationship with anxiety, depression and coping style in people with MS.

Methods: 219 employed people with MS (median age = 43 years, 79% female) completed questionnaires on anxiety, depression, coping style, demographics and work difficulties, and underwent a neurological examination. Two regression analyses were performed with work difficulties as the dependent variable and either anxiety or depression as continuous independent variables. Coping style, age, gender, educational level, MS-related disability and disease duration were added as additional predictors, as well as interaction terms between coping style and either symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Results: A significant model was found (F _(10,205) = 13.14, p < 0.001, R ² = 0.39) in which anxiety, emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping and MS-related disability were positively related to work difficulties. The analysis of depression resulted in a significant model (F _(10,205) = 14.98, p < 0.001, R ² = 0.42) in which depression, emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping and MS-related disability were positively related to work difficulties. None of the interaction effects were significant.

Conclusions: Work difficulties were positively related to anxiety, depression, emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping and MS-related disability in workers with MS.

Keywords: anxiety; coping behaviour; depression; employment; multiple sclerosis; work.