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Previous research discovered a protective effect of higher conscientiousness against a 3-year deterioration in employment status in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). To replicate these findings, we used data from a multicentre prospective cohort study where 145 employed pwMS completed questionnaires, neurological and neuropsychological examinations at baseline and after 3 years. A 3-year deterioration in employment status was reported in 31.0%. We observed no differences in personality, demographics or clinical characteristics between pwMS with deteriorated or stable employment status. These null findings may be partly explained by the classification of deteriorated employment status, which does not reflect Dutch labour conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system with an unpredictable disease course. Life partners often become caregivers, which can be both rewarding and challenging, as the caregiver's physical and mental health is often negatively affected. Previous studies on caregiver strain focused on caregivers of persons with MS with relatively high disability levels, while caregiver strain may already be experienced by life partners living with mildly disabled persons with MS., Objective: The current study examines factors associated with caregiver strain in life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting MS., Methods: We included 173 persons with relapsing-remitting MS (79% female; mean age 42.8 years; 90% employed; median EDSS 2.0) and their life partners. The life partners completed questionnaires on caregiver strain and neuropsychiatric and cognitive functioning of the person with MS. The persons with MS completed questionnaires about demographics, fatigue, personality, physical, cognitive and neuropsychiatric functioning, and underwent neuropsychological and neurological examinations. A linear regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors of caregiver strain., Results: 24% of the life partners experienced above average levels of caregiver strain. A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that a higher age of the person with MS (β = 0.16, p = 0.04), more physical disability (β = 0.17 p = 0.04), more cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems of the person with MS as reported by the life partner (β = 0.33, p = 0.001) and higher severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms as reported by the life partner (β = 0.32, p = 0.001) were associated with higher caregiver strain (R 2  = 0.49)., Conclusion: Higher caregiver strain in life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting MS was primarily associated with cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems of the person with MS., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)