Employment and Household Work Disability in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

This study examines the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the employment and household work roles of women with families, as well as the relative contribution of health, family and personal factors to role accomplishment. The participation of other family members and paid help in household work, and methods of coping with role impairment were also assessed. 142 women with RA and 58 female neighbors completed questionnaires which assessed role performance and health, family, and personal variables. Employment status was measured by number of hours spent; household work performance in six activity areas was measured by amount of time spent and proportion done. The results are that women with mild RA reported little role disability, while those with more severe RA reported substantial disability. The family members of women with more severe RA spend considerably more time doing household work than their peers, and little paid household help is used, even by those with higher incomes. Financial need was most highly associated with employment, while functional status was the factor most highly associated with household Work performance. The results suggest that rehabilitation professionals should address both employment and household work management issues with women who have disabilities.