Correlates of the personality change judgments of individuals who have MS

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This is the first study to estimate prevalence of self-reported personality change (PC) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods developed in traumatic brain injury studies explore physical, and psychosocial triggers for PC judgments.

Participants: 69 MS clinic attendees living with their partner.

Measures: Participants rated the degree of PC. 28 Current and pre-MS characteristics were rated. The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, the MS Neuropsychological Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-FastScreen, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale quantified neuropsychological status. The Family Questionnaire, McMaster Assessment Device and the Social Provisions Scale sampled perceived social influences.

Results: 54% perceived substantial PC. Current characteristics predicted PC better than perceived behavior changes. PC was associated with specific characteristics denoting stress reactions, emotional distress, perceived cognitive impairment and poorer family functioning. PC was not significantly related to severity of physical symptoms or social support. This study also suggested that the specific characteristics questionnaire probed at least 2 components of reconstructed identity: PC/Reactivity and Disability.

Conclusions: This study raises methodological concerns about measures that simply sum ratings of characteristics related to self-identity. It also proposes possible ways of collaborating with individuals in their efforts to respond constructively to PC and other changes. .

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• personality
• depression
• anxiety
• social Support
• Expressed Emotion

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr NW Davies, L Cleobury and Dr R Woodfield for collecting the data for this study.

Declaration of interests

The authors report no declarations of interest.