Psychological factors fluctuated over the 8-month follow-up period. Some psychological variables, including anxiety and depression, were significantly associated with, and predictive of, work instability. Longitudinal analysis should further identify how these psychological attributes impact on work instability and potential job loss in the longer term.

Screening for work instability and self-efficacy in a clinical setting followed by appropriate interventions to increase self-efficacy and reduce work instability could aid job retention in MS.

Background People with multiple sclerosis stop working earlier than expected due to disease progression, individuals giving up work voluntarily or due to employers' advice or requirement. Although effective symptom management, social support and psychological factors can influence job retention, the relationship between job retention and psychological factors remains unclear. Exploring this may lead to psychological interventions to aid job retention. Methods In phase 1 we held three focus groups with people with MS in paid employment discussing work-related experiences and concerns to elicit key psychological constructs. In phase 2 participants will complete validated questionnaires to measure the identified psychological factors, work instability and the impact of MS at four time points over 30 months.Results 20 employed people with MS participated in 3 focus groups. The key themes identified were disclosure, selfmanagement/coping, work environment and illness-related. A questionnaire pack was developed to include the identified themes. 221 employed people with MS have been recruited to phase 2 of the study and 213/221 (96.4%) completed the baseline questionnaire. 91% have relapsing-remitting MS. Discussion We have identified the main themes which impact on employment for people with MS. We will explore the impact of these on job retention in the longitudinal study.

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The study examined the relation between the security of attachment and trust beliefs in close others during middle childhood. In the study, 133 children (63 girls, M age = 9.5 years) completed standardized measures of the security of attachment and three bases of trust beliefs in close others (reliability, honesty, and emotional). Correlational analyses showed that children's security of attachment was associated with emotional trust beliefs in close others only. A structural equation modelling analysis yielded a path between security of attachment and emotional trust beliefs in parents as a latent factor. In addition, there was a path between the latent factor and emotional trust beliefs in peers. Alternative models did not adequately fit the data. The findings were ascribed to the role of parent's emotional trustworthiness and children's mental state discourse in promoting the relation between children's security of attachment and their emotional trust beliefs in close others. K E Y W O R D S close others, middle childhood, secure attachment, trust beliefs Highlights • The research examined relation between the security of attachment and trust beliefs in close others during middle childhood. • One hundred and thirty-three children completed standardized measures of the security of attachment and trust beliefs in close others.• Children's beliefs that parents refrain from causing emotional harm play a central role in their security of attachment.