Housing satisfaction: An additive predictor of QOL for adults with MS?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research has clearly demonstrated the relationship between quality of life (QOL) for adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) and selected demographic and illness-related variables. However, this investigation posed a further question: would housing satisfaction variables (e.g., need for accommodations, confidence in ability to live independently and to afford to do so, and level of daily functioning) account for additional variance in the prediction of QOL? OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which housing satisfaction variables add to the prediction of QOL among a large sample of Americans with MS. METHOD: Quantitative analysis for the study included descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations along with backward elimination multiple regression analysis, to determine the extent to which the independent variables, including educational level, employment status, MS status variables, and housing variables, contributed to the overall prediction model for the quality of life of adults with MS. RESULTS: Regression results indicated that housing satisfaction variables, in addition to perceived severity of MS, level of cognitive functioning, number of symptoms, and employment status, were retained in a predictive model of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the need to include housing consultation as an important component of the array of medical, vocational, educational, and cognitive rehabilitation strategies provided to adults with MS.