Affiliations: [a]
Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| [b] Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| [c] College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: James S. Krause, PhD, Department of Health Sciences and Research, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina,151-B Rutledge Ave, MSC 962, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Tel.: +1 843 792 1337; Fax: +1 843 792 5649; E-mail: krause@musc.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Understanding vocational interests in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is essential for informing vocational rehabilitation efforts. OJBECTIVE:Describe the vocational interests of those with MS and identify patterns related to sex and race. METHODS:Participants (n = 133) were identified through specialty hospital records in the southeastern United States. Participants completed the Strong Interest Inventory, which includes six General Occupational Themes (GOTs), 30 Basic Interest Scales (BIS), and five Personal Style Scales. RESULTS:Male participants scored highest on the Realistic GOT, followed by the Investigative and Conventional GOTs. Female participants scored highest on the Social GOT, followed by Artistic and Enterprising GOTs. Black participants scored highest on the Social, Conventional, and Enterprising GOTs. White participants scored highest on the Artistic and Social GOTs. Statistically and clinically significant sex differences were seen on two of the GOTs (Realistic and Investigative) and five of the BIS. No racial differences were identified on the GOT. CONCLUSIONS:For males with MS, who express preference in Realistic and Investigative vocational themes, the physical and cognitive symptoms of MS may be incompatible with interest-congruent work environments. Early identification of vocational interests in the context of individual MS symptom experiences is essential to individualize rehabilitation efforts.
