Sustainable digital working life in cognitive challenges

People who experience cognitive difficulties, for example after stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease or post-COVID-19 syndrome, often face particular challenges in digital working life and in other activities of daily life. New research at Luleå University of Technology, by Monika Lindberg, Assistant Professor and PhD in Occupational Therapy, highlights the challenges of achieving a sustainable digital working life but also a sustainable everyday life.

Digital technologies have transformed society and the world of work, and many of us carry out our daily work using computers, smartphones and other digital tools. For people who experience cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, reduced concentration or difficulties managing stress, this can be particularly challenging.

“Digital work can be very demanding for people with cognitive difficulties. For their work to be sustainable, it is important not only to focus on the tasks, but also to look at their whole life situation. This is because the results of the studies show that many people with cognitive difficulties prioritize work at the expense of other activities in everyday life,” explains Monika Lindberg.

New strategies for support

In her thesis, Monika Lindberg has studied how people with cognitive difficulties handle digital work and how they use their own strategies to cope with their digital work and everyday life. The study shows that these people often need to develop their own methods and strategies to cope with the increased cognitive demands, but that the support of employers and family members plays a crucial role in enabling them to work long-term without risking their health. By having a good dialog and understanding of the challenges, employers can facilitate a sustainable working life.

“As cognitive difficulties are often invisible to other people, it is important to have an open dialog and for employers and employees to work together to find solutions that work in everyday life. It's not just about the tasks themselves, but about creating the conditions for work that works in everyday life. For example, this may involve adapting the work environment or tasks, or allowing more flexible working hours,” says Monika Lindberg.

The thesis shows that people with cognitive difficulties often use their own strategies to manage their work, but that support from both employers and family members is crucial. The thesis also shows the need for increased knowledge among employer representatives to better support employees with cognitive difficulties.

Challenges for employers

The thesis shows that employers also face major challenges in supporting employees with cognitive difficulties. Through focus group discussions with employer representatives, it has been identified that many employers lack sufficient knowledge about how they can best support their employees. Many describe it as difficult to assess the cognitive demands of digital work, especially when these vary from day to day depending on the health status of the individual.

“Employers play a key role in creating a sustainable work environment for people with cognitive difficulties. However, many feel that they lack the expertise and support needed to deal with these challenges,” says Monika Lindberg.

The results of the thesis also show the importance of developing vocational rehabilitation to meet the needs of people with cognitive difficulties. There is also a need to develop preventive and person-centered occupational therapy interventions to support these people and to create a more sustainable digital work and everyday life.

• Read the full thesis here External link, opens in new window.
• Read more about occupational therapy here