Work and everyday life in a digitalized time: Experiences of people with subjective cognitive difficulties related to neurological disorders

Abstract

Introduction Digitalization has changed working life and increased cognitive demands on employees in general. Nevertheless, the consequences for employees with cognitive impairments and subjective cognitive difficulties are to a large extent unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore and describe how employees with subjective cognitive difficulties who are performing digital work tasks experience their vocational situation and how this situation influences their everyday life. Methods A qualitative, descriptive, multiple-case study was designed. Self-reports, assessments and qualitative interviews were used to collect data from the seven participants with neurological disorders. The data were analysed using pattern matching. Findings The analysed data formed four categories conceptualized as “Working to my full potential”, “Working, but it is largely up to me”, “Working at the expense of everyday life” and “Working without known difficulties”, and these categories included one to four subcategories. Conclusion Managing subjective cognitive difficulties in vocational situations and everyday life was challenging in a digitalized working life for participants with neurological disorders. To provide equal access to preventive measures and rehabilitation and a sustainable working life, it is important to investigate the influence of subjective cognitive difficulties systematically on work, everyday life and management strategies in people with neurological disorders in digitalized work.