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

Related scientific publications

Related interviews and articles

IWH Speaker Series presentations

Project status

Completed 2017

Research team

  • Arif Jetha, Institute for Work & Health (PI)
  • Monique Gignac, Institute for Work & Health
  • Catherine Connelly, McMaster University
  • Kathleen Martin Ginis, University of British Columbia
  • Sean Tucker, University of Regina

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