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
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