Abstract
Background: According to the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) Health and Disability personal factors may be significantly facilitative or hindering to the daily functioning and well-being of patients with chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying such factors help patients and their caregivers and therapists in planning client-centered therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this study is to explore personal factors affecting functioning and well-being in Jordanian patients with MS. Methods: A questionnaire was created to explore patients' perspectives on personal factors affecting their perceived daily functioning and well-being. Six questions were created to inquire about six aspects of the ICF personal factors: current experiences, lifestyle, coping style, psychological assets and habits, character style, and social background. A sample of 100 Jordanian patients with MS completed the questionnaire. Results: Facilitative contextual factors to the perceived daily functioning and well-being of patients with MS include positive feelings, social support, personal characteristics, financial and medical sufficiency, religion, community awareness, whereas hindering contextual factors include physical, psychological and psychosocial disabilities, negative feelings, and social stigma. Conclusion: Identifying personal factors affecting patients with MS can improve their perceived daily functioning and well-being by eliminating the hindering environmental factors and providing or supporting the facilitative factors.