Investigation of the coping antecedents to positive outcomes and distress in multiple sclerosis (MS)

Abstract

This study examined relations between stress and coping predictors and distress and positive outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 502 people with MS completed a questionnaire at Time 1 and, 3 months later, Time 2 (n = 404). Predictors included Time 1 illness (duration, number of symptoms, course), number of problems, appraisal and coping (acceptance, problem solving, emotional release, avoidance, personal health control, energy conservation). Dependent variables were Time 2 distress (anxiety, depression) and positive outcomes (life satisfaction, positive affect, benefits). Results indicated that as hypothesised, personal health control, emotional release and physical assistance were related to the positive outcomes, whereas avoidance was related to distress, and acceptance was associated with the positive outcomes and distress. Findings highlight the differential relations between coping strategies and positive and negative outcomes and the role of appraisal and coping in regulating distress and promoting positive psychological states while managing a chronic illness.

Keywords:

• Coping
• stress appraisal
• multiple sclerosis, adjustment
• well-being

Acknowledgements

Assistance with recruitment from the MS Society of Victoria and the MS Society of Western Australia is greatly appreciated. The study was funded by a grant from The University of Queensland #2000100298. The statistical advice of Dr Stephen Cox was of great value in directing the analytic approach used in this study.

Notes

Notes

[1] Some of the problems mentioned in the emotional domain (e.g., “hopeless”) appeared to overlap with the content of some items on the distress scales, and were therefore likely to be confounded with these measures. Analyses were repeated with the exclusion of those problems from the emotional domain that were identical in content to that of the distress scales. These analyses revealed patterns of associations between number of problems and depression and anxiety that were identical to those reported.