TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity on everyday life
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Skovbjerg, Sine
AU - Elberling, Jesper
AU - Brorson, Stig
AU - Rasmussen, Alice
AU - Johansen, Jeanne Duus
PY - 2009/8
Y1 - 2009/8
N2 - Background: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a descriptive term covering symptoms attributed to exposure to common airborne chemicals. There are no internationally accepted criteria, but it has been suggested that MCS is a chronic and disabling condition. However, details of the impact of MCS on everyday life are limited. Objective: To describe the impact of MCS on everyday life, strategies for managing the condition, and experiences with healthcare management. Methods: A focus group study was conducted, including two interviews with a sample of six women and six men between 27 and 78 years of age, a duration of MCS of at least 1 year, and with different occupational conditions. Results: MCS may severely influence different aspects of everyday life, including lifestyle, social relations, and occupational conditions. Avoiding common airborne chemicals was the most prevalent coping strategy, which implied creating a chemical-free living space and limiting social activities. Experiences with healthcare management were overall reported as negative in terms of not receiving acknowledgement of the reported symptoms. Conclusions: MCS may have serious implications for daily functioning. Further research on individual consequences and the social and psychological factors that may be associated with MCS is needed in order to add to our understanding of this condition and to the provision of more satisfactory healthcare.
AB - Background: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a descriptive term covering symptoms attributed to exposure to common airborne chemicals. There are no internationally accepted criteria, but it has been suggested that MCS is a chronic and disabling condition. However, details of the impact of MCS on everyday life are limited. Objective: To describe the impact of MCS on everyday life, strategies for managing the condition, and experiences with healthcare management. Methods: A focus group study was conducted, including two interviews with a sample of six women and six men between 27 and 78 years of age, a duration of MCS of at least 1 year, and with different occupational conditions. Results: MCS may severely influence different aspects of everyday life, including lifestyle, social relations, and occupational conditions. Avoiding common airborne chemicals was the most prevalent coping strategy, which implied creating a chemical-free living space and limiting social activities. Experiences with healthcare management were overall reported as negative in terms of not receiving acknowledgement of the reported symptoms. Conclusions: MCS may have serious implications for daily functioning. Further research on individual consequences and the social and psychological factors that may be associated with MCS is needed in order to add to our understanding of this condition and to the provision of more satisfactory healthcare.
KW - Chronic illness
KW - focus group interview
KW - healthcare
KW - MCS
KW - multiple chemical sensitivity
KW - occupational conditions
KW - social relations
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=68649093040&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1403494809105430
DO - 10.1177/1403494809105430
M3 - Article
C2 - 19411319
AN - SCOPUS:68649093040
SN - 1403-4948
VL - 37
SP - 621
EP - 626
JO - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
JF - Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
IS - 6
ER -