Workforce Participation as a Differential Indicator of Satisfaction With the Employment Situation Among Latinx With Multiple Sclerosis: Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals in the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed at examining differences in satisfaction with the employment situation between employed and unemployed Latinx with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States (N = 148).MethodParticipants in this study responded to a national survey of the employment and community living concerns of people with MS. Multivariate analysis of variance and a follow-up univariate analysis of variance were conducted to compare the group differences.ResultsThe analyses revealed statistically significant between-group differences in satisfaction ratings on items pertaining to personal and environmental resources and fair treatment, but no significant between-group differences in response to items related to legal rights.ConclusionThe findings in this study confirmed our a priori expectation that satisfaction ratings regarding the overall employment situation among Latinx Americans with MS would vary as a function of their workforce participation status. Implications for future research and clinical practice in vocational rehabilitation in the COVID-19 era are discussed.