ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 10 > Iss. 2 (2022)
Credentials Display
Mary Squillace, PhD, OTR/L
Pamela Linden, LMSW, PhD
Abstract
Background: Young adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience fine motor (FM) challenges that prevent them from engaging in age-appropriate occupations. Disease mediated changes in occupational skills can affect how a young adult perceives their occupational performances. This study aimed to gain an understanding of how young adults with MS perceive their FM abilities and social and emotional performance during daily activities.
Method: Eighteen young adults with MS who previously scored equal to or less than the low average range on FM pegboard tests and who reported high satisfaction and low performance on a modified self-report were interviewed. The interviews explored the participants’ perceptions of their occupational performance regarding FM skills and social-emotional performance.
Results: Analysis of interviews resulted in the following themes: relationship changes, attribution theories, FM deficits and symptoms that affect daily performance, avoidance of assistive equipment, and lack of knowledge of occupational therapy services. This analysis found that despite low performance on their FM testing, the participants were satisfied with their ability to perform tasks.
Conclusion: Young adults with MS presented with FM deficits that affect their occupational performance in age-related tasks.
Recommended Citation
Squillace, M., & Linden, P. (2022). The Lived Experiences and Occupational Performance and Satisfaction of Young Adults with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as Related to Fine Motor Skills. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(2), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1920
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.