Gratitude as a moderator between employment status and sense of accomplishment in people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background:

Although prior research has investigated the predictors of employment of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), no studies have examined the relationship between employment status and sense of accomplishment among individuals with MS and how gratitude can affect that relationship.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine whether gratitude moderates the relationship between employment status and sense of accomplishment.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 291 participants with MS (M_age= 45.77 years; SD = 10.09). Gratitude was assessed with the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) developed by McCullough and colleagues (2002). Sense of accomplishment was assessed with the Accomplishment subscale of the PERMA-Profiler developed by Butler & Kern (2016). Sociodemographic variables (e.g., employment) were assessed.

Results:

The findings suggest that being employed is associated with higher levels of sense of accomplishment, and higher levels of gratitude are associated with increased levels of sense of accomplishment for individuals with MS. Gratitude moderated the relationship between employment status and sense of accomplishment.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that practitioners can integrate gratitude-enhancing interventions to promote a sense of accomplishment for individuals with MS when they experience positive life outcomes such as employment.