Disability worker profiles: examining work-related difficulties, mood, and coping strategies in workers with multiple sclerosis

Michela Ponzio (), Erica Grange, Federica Di Antonio, Benedetta Persechino, Tommaso Manacorda, Maria Cellerino, Matilde Inglese, Paolo Durando, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Giampaolo Brichetto and Jessica Podda
Additional contact information
Michela Ponzio: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Erica Grange: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Federica Di Antonio: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Benedetta Persechino: Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL)
Tommaso Manacorda: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Maria Cellerino: Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa
Matilde Inglese: Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DiNOGMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa
Paolo Durando: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa
Mario Alberto Battaglia: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Giampaolo Brichetto: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
Jessica Podda: Scientific Research Area, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract While remaining at and returning to work are clearly complex issues in multiple sclerosis (MS), in which many aspects (physical, psychological and relational, as well as personal resources such as coping strategies) can play a key role, there is still room for potential interventions. This study aimed to identify and describe profiles of workers with MS (wwMS), considering specific work-related domains, namely, work-related difficulties, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and coping strategies. A cross-sectional online survey of wwMS was conducted in Italy. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using the Ward method followed by k-means cluster analysis. In total, 209 workers with MS were included in the analysis. We identified four profiles: profile 1 had low work difficulties, low depressive symptoms and mild anxiety, with a moderate tendency to use ‘problem focus’ and ‘positive attitude’ and a mild tendency to use ‘social support’ as coping strategies (n = 82, 39.2%); profile 2 had low-to-mild work difficulties, mild anxiety and low depressive symptoms, with a high tendency to use ‘positive attitude’ and ‘religion’, moderate use of ‘problem focus’ and ‘social support’, and mild use of ‘denial’ (n = 38, 18.7%); profile 3 had low-to-mild work difficulties, moderate anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a mild tendency to use ‘problem focus’, ‘positive attitude’, ‘religion’, ‘social support’ and ‘denial’ as coping strategies (n = 50, 23.9%); profile 4 had mild-to-moderate work difficulties, moderate anxiety and depressive symptoms, with a moderate tendency to use ‘problem focus’ and ‘positive attitude’, and a mild tendency to use ‘social support’ and ‘denial’ as coping strategies (n = 39, 18.7%). Identifying profiles of workers with a chronic and progressive disability such as MS may lead to the development of personalised interventions.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05997-0

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