Understanding employment transitions among people living with arthritis across the life course
Reasons for the study
In Canada, arthritis affects over 4.4 million people, 60 per cent of whom are under 65 years of age. Arthritis is also one of the most frequent causes of work disability. Few studies have taken a life-course approach to understanding how a person’s age, career phase and years of living with arthritis shape their involvement in employment, as well as their access to and use of job accommodations and health benefits. Using a life-course perspective, this study explored the unique employment-related needs of people living with arthritis at different stages of their lives, including as young people and older adults.
Objectives of the study
- To compare the work experiences of young adults (ages 18-30 years), middle-aged adults (31-55 years) and older workers (55-plus years) with arthritis
- To determine differences among these age groups in their needs, access to and use of workplace accommodations and benefits
Related research summaries
- How workplace support needs differ for younger and older adults with chronic disease. Research Highlights: Institute for Work & Health, August 2018.
Related scientific publications
- Jetha A, Gignac MA, Bowring J, Tucker S, Connelly CE, Proulx L, Martin Ginis KA. Supporting arthritis and employment across the life course: a qualitative study. Arthritis Care & Research. 2018;70(10):1461-1468. doi:10.1002/acr.23523.
- Jetha A, Bowring J, Tucker S, Connelly CE, Martin Ginis KA, Proulx L, Gignac MA. Transitions that matter: life course differences in the employment of adults with arthritis. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2018;40(26):3127-3135. doi:10.1080/09638288.2017.1378387.
Related interviews and articles
- Young adults with chronic conditions often struggle to access workplace supports . At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 90, Fall 2017.
- New study shows that life and career stage do matter when thinking about the impact of arthritis on employment. CAPA Newsletter: Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (Toronto, ON). May 1, 2017. Available from: http://www.arthritispatient.ca/news/may-2017/#employment
- Young adults with arthritis more likely to be workers, not students. AJMC.com: American Journal of Managed Care (Cranbury, NJ). January 4, 2017. Available from: http://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/young-adults-with-arthritis-more-likely-to-be-workers-not-students
IWH Speaker Series presentations
- Life course concepts in the work experiences of people with arthritis. IWH Speaker Series. November 22, 2016.
Project status
Completed 2017
Research team
Collaborators and partners
Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
March of Dimes
Neil Squire Society
Funded by
Canadian Disability Participation Project, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Partnership Grant