Key Determinants of Quality of Life Among Latinos with Multiple Sclerosis: Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample.

EDUCATIONAL attainment; STATISTICAL correlation; EMPLOYMENT of people with disabilities; HISPANIC Americans; MARITAL status; MENTAL health; MULTIPLE sclerosis; PROBABILITY theory; QUALITY of life; QUESTIONNAIRES; RESEARCH evaluation; RESEARCH funding; SCALE analysis (Psychology); PSYCHOLOGY of the sick; SURVEYS; TRANSLATIONS; MULTIPLE regression analysis; SIGNIFICANT others; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; STATISTICAL significance; SEVERITY of illness index; DATA analysis software; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; SYMPTOMS; SOCIETIES

This article presents findings from an investigation of factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among Latinos with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Using data from 206 Latino/a participants recruited through chapters of the National MS Society, factors associated with QOL were explored through multiple regression analysis. Eight predictors accounted for 47.5% of the variance in QOL scores. Five predictors were significantly associated with QOL. Greater perceived severity of MS symptoms was significantly correlated with lower QOL scores and full-time employment significantly predicted higher QOL. Finally, married/partnered participants and participants who reported fewer MS-related mental health symptoms and an ability to meet their living expenses were more likely to report higher QOL. Implications for rehabilitation professionals working with Latinos diagnosed with MS are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]