The Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ): development of a shortened scale

Title
The Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ): development of a shortened scale
Publication Date
2014
Author(s)
Honan, Cynthia A
Brown, Rhonda
Hine, Don W
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3905-7026
Email: dhine@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:dhine
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Informa Healthcare
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.3109/09638288.2013.805258
UNE publication id
une:15143
Abstract
Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ) is a recently developed, internally consistent and valid 50-item measure of self-reported workplace difficulties in pwMS. Objective: In this study, the second-order factor structure of the MSWDQ was assessed, with the aim of developing a short version of the scale. Methods: Cross-sectional MSWDQ data were obtained along with employment and MS disease information, in a community-based sample of 189 pwMS. Final items for the shortened version were selected to ensure both item breadth and adequacy of psychometric properties. Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the 12 MSWDQ factors yielded a model comprised of three second-order factors termed 'physical barriers, psychological/cognitive barriers' and 'external barriers', which formed the basis of the shorter 23-item scale, the MSWDQ-23. The MSWDQ-23 showed excellent subscale internal consistencies. It explained 29% of the variance in reduced work hours since diagnosis, 22% of the variance in expectations of withdrawing from work, 24% of the variance in expectations of reduced work hours and 32% of the variance in expectations of changing type of work due to MS. Conclusion: The MSWDQ-23 is a brief valid and internally consistent measure of workplace difficulties that can predict both employment outcomes and expectations in pwMS. It is an especially useful tool for clinicians who wish to quickly obtain an indication of the extent of psychological/cognitive, physical and/or external difficulties experienced by individual pwMS in the workplace.
Link
Citation
Disability and Rehabilitation, 36(8), p. 635-641
ISSN
1464-5165
0963-8288
Start page
635
End page
641

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