Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify job characteristics related to perceived underemployment among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), while controlling for demographic, MS-related, and educational factors. A sample of U.S. adults with MS, all of whom were a minimum 1-year post diagnosis, <65, and employed at the time of the study (n = 585), participated. Perceived underemployment was measured by a single dichotomous variable (yes/no). A restricted model with only demographic, MS, and educational factors explained 8.5% of the variance, whereas the full model with vocational factors explained 26.1%. Only race-ethnicity and fatigue were significant in the restricted model, with greater odds of underemployment among Black non-Hispanic (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0), Hispanic/other (OR = 2.7), and for those reporting fatigue (OR = 2.2). In the final model, the odds of underemployment were lower for those with higher income (≥US$75,000, OR = 0.28) and those in jobs with promotion and recognition (OR = 0.41); with greater odds of underemployment for those with higher education (bachelors or higher, OR = 2.2) and working in professional/managerial occupations (OR = 1.9). Perceived underemployment was related to several quality employment indicators including lower earnings, lesser advancement and/or recognition, higher education, and working in professional/managerial occupations.
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