Employment restrictions among persons with ICD-10 anxiety disorders: characteristics from a population survey

Disability, employment, and employment restrictions among persons with ICD-10 anxiety disorders were investigated at a population level in comparison to persons without disability or long-term health conditions. Data were provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collected in a 1998 national survey. Multistage sampling obtained a probability sample of 37,580 individuals in the household component of the survey. Trained lay interviewers using ICD-10 computer-assisted interviews identified household residents with anxiety disorders. Details of employment restrictions are reported and discussed. The four most commonly reported restrictions were: restricted in the type of job (24.0%); need for a support person (23.3%); difficulty changing jobs (18.6%); and restricted in the number of hours (15.4%). The nature and extent of employment restrictions characterizing persons with anxiety disorders indicates a need for strengthened disability and health condition screening at application for Government income support and at gateways to public funded vocational assistance. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relations between coping and positive and negative outcomes in carers of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS)

This study examined relations between stress and coping predictors and negative and positive outcomes in MS caregiving. A total of 222 carers and their care-recipients completed questionnaires at Time 1 and three months later, Time 2 ( n = 155). Predictors included care-recipient characteristics ( age, time since diagnosis, course and life satisfaction), and Times 1 and 2 carer problems, stress appraisal and coping. Dependent variables were Time 2 negative ( anxiety, depression) and positive outcomes ( life satisfaction, positive affect, benefits). Regressions indicated that, overall, the hypothesised direct effects of stress appraisal and coping strategies on positive and negative outcomes were supported. The hypothesised stress-buffering effects of positive reframing coping were also supported. All but one of the coping strategies were related to both positive and negative outcomes; specifically, practical assistance coping emerged as a unique predictor of distress. Of the model predictors, care-recipient life satisfaction emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor of both positive and negative outcomes except benefit finding. Findings support the role of care-recipient characteristics and the carer's appraisal and coping processes in shaping both positive and negative outcomes. The guiding framework and findings have the potential to inform interventions designed to promote well-being in carers.