Coping with Multiple Sclerosis: Development of a measure

Development of a self-report measure of coping specific to MS is needed to advance our understanding of the role of coping in adaptation to MS. A total of 414 persons with MS completed a Coping with MS Scale (CMSS) and measures of adjustment (psychological distress and subjective health status), appraisal and illness. A sub-sample of 113 also completed the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC) and additional adjustment measures (depression, functional disability, social and dyadic adjustment). Factor analyses revealed seven factors: problem solving, physical assistance, acceptance, avoidance, personal health control, energy conservation, and emotional release. Subscales had internal reliabilities comparable to similar scales and were empirically distinct. Criterion validation data are consistent with recent research on adjustment to MS that link passive avoidant emotion-focused coping with poorer adjustment, and problem-focused coping with better adjustment. Results extend this research by revealing new relations between coping and adaptation to MS. Convergent validation data suggest that although the inventory differs from the WCC, it does share certain conceptual similarities with this scale.