Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive condition which affects the central nervous system. Statistics show that it is the most common condition affecting young adults in the United Kingdom (UK). The condition is not life threatening, but there is no known cure. MS not only affects the person diagnosed, but can have a significant impact on other family members. This thesis aimed to explore the impact MS can have from an occupational perspective on other family members. Methodology This thesis reports on a qualitative research project, carried out in three phases; these combined considered the impact ofMS on partners across their daily occupations, and the experiences and dynamics on family life. In depth interviews were carried out and thematic analysis drawing on principles of Constructivist Grounded Theory were used. Results The results from the overall research project suggest it is possible, as a partner, to recreate the self and re define an occupational identity in the face of MS. Phase one explored the perspectives of the partner in areas of self care, productivity and leisure. The analysis found there were both opportunities and adjustments for partners, as well as struggles to maintain their identity or to establish new identities in ever changing situations. Phase two was developed from phase one, the analysis identified partners were able to re-create themselves in the face on MS, or were facing lives where their occupations were eroded in this phase. Phase three explored the experience of one family. This phase aimed to provide more comprehensive analysis, further developing the themes constructed from the first two phases. This phase suggested that family identities were constantly shifting, but that the family were developing occupationally together. The key themes spanning across the thesis are occupational adjustments, opportunities and re-creation in the face of MS. The implications for occupational therapy practice, research and education are then discussed and conclusions from the study as a whole are drawn.

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Inspiration for this thesis came from two key influences: an interest in the practice of internal communication prompted by the author's previous career in corporate communication management; and an interest in the theory relating to the discipline. Gaps in theory have been emphasised in the literature and the area described as a 'wasteland in terms of research' (Argenti 1996, p. 94). The aim of the thesis was to rethink internal communication to contribute theory with the potential to assist practice. Making a contribution to internal communication theory in this way adds to the strategic public relations and corporate communications body ofknowledge, and may assist internal communication management. This is important since internal communication impacts employee engagement and organisational effectiveness. The conceptual analysis: positions internal communication within integrated corporate communication; argues that internal communication is multi-dimensional; introduces the Internal Communication Matrix to illustrate the dimensionality; and, contributes definitions of internal communication and internal corporate communication. Consequently, the thesis breaks an unhelpful continuous loop concerning definition of the field of internal communication. The empirical work used a research case study strategy involving focus groups and a questionnaire with open and closed questions to gather data from employees concerning their internal corporate communication preferences in the context of a UK university. The empirical analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data found an hierarchy ofmethod category preferences from most preferred: electronic, print, face-to-face. The hierarchy was inconsistent with previous literature claiming face-to-face communication as most preferred. An hierarchy ofpreference for internal corporate communication content category was found starting from most preferred: belonging, understanding, commitment, awareness. Further analysis found that employee group membership and knowledge worker group membership was associated with significantly different preferences for internal corporate communication content and methods. The thesis proposed a coaxial view ofrelationships featuring trust and distrust interacting in an employee sense making process, the Zone of Approval, wl1!cl1results in employees adopting a mixture of cynical, sceptical or humorous styles or routines to help them cope with complexii)r.- -- Rethinking internal communication in this thesis showed that the concept is more complex than previously characterised in the literature, broadened understanding of the concept and prepared the ground for future research. The concluding chapter draws the elements together in a model which shows the linkages between internal communication, employee engagement and organisational effectiveness.

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