The Relationship between Housing Accessibility Variables and Employment Status among Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

This investigation extends current understanding of the employment impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) by evaluating the relationship between employment status and residential accessibility. The objective of this study was to explore the extent to which housing accessibility variables add to the prediction of employment status among a large sample of Americans with MS. Findings are reported in terms of descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and logistic regression. The logistic regression analysis was completed to determine the extent to which the independent variables (demographic, clinical, functional, and housing variables) contributed to the overall prediction model for the employment status of adults with MS. The combined variables explained approximately 39% of the variance in employment status. In addition to educational attainment, age, years since diagnosis, physical disability, cognitive impairment, and mobility limitations, several housing accessibility variables contributed to the prediction of employment status, including score on the Home Functioning Scale, having needed accessibility features, needing assistance in the home, and being financially limited in making needed renovations. The findings emphasize the importance of including housing accessibility assessment in the vocational rehabilitation services provided to adults with MS.