The Level of Stress and Coping Strategies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Relationships with the Disease Course

Objectives: Stress is supposed to be linked with a background of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the disease course. Design: The study aimed to assess the level of stress and coping strategies in MS patients within a year of follow-up and to investigate the relationships between these aspects and factors related—or not—to MS. Methods: In 65 patients with MS, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Type D Scale (DS14) and Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) were performed at baseline and after a year. Baseline PSS-10, DS-14 and COPE scores were analyzed with regard to demographics, MS duration, treatment, indices of disability and self-reported stressful events (SEs). Final PSS-10 and COPE results were analyzed with reference to MS activity and SE within a year of follow-up. Results: Initially, 67% of patients reported a moderate or high level of stress and 31% met Type-D personality criteria. Diverse coping strategies were preferred, most of which were problem-focused. The negative affectivity DS-14 subscore (NEG) was correlated with disability level. Non-health-related SEs were associated with higher PSS-10 and NEG scores. After a year, the mean PSS-10 score decreased, while COPE results did not change significantly. Non-health-related SEs were associated with a higher PSS-10 score and less frequent use of acceptance and humor strategies. Those with an active vs. stable MS course during the follow-up did not differ in terms of PSS-10 and COPE results. Conclusions: MS patients experienced an increased level of stress. No significant relationships were found between stress or coping and MS course within a year. Non-health-related factors affected measures of stress more than MS-related factors.

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Evaluating Experiences of Stress and Coping Among African American Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Inform Future Interventions

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/10901981211039148 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 109019812110391

Author(s):

Allison M. Sweeney ◽

Dawn K. Wilson ◽

Nicole Zarrett ◽

Asia Brown ◽

Mary Quattlebaum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Well Being ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Qualitative Assessment ◽

Passive Coping ◽

Acute And Chronic Stress ◽

Health Related Behaviors ◽

Health Related ◽

And Coping

Background African American (AA) women experience disproportionate levels of chronic disease, which is theorized to be driven by greater exposure to acute and chronic stress. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has further exacerbated existing health disparities among AA communities. Understanding how AA women have experienced and responded to stress during the pandemic may help to inform how future interventions can better address physical and mental well-being in AA communities. Aims Drawing from stress and coping models and an ecological framework, the present study conducted a theory-based qualitative assessment of stress-related experiences during the pandemic among a cohort of AA women, including (1) sources of stress, (2) coping strategies, (3) perceptions of health-related behaviors, (4) the role of community, and (5) recommendations for future interventions. Method After completing a group-based physical activity intervention program during the COVID-19 pandemic, a cohort of AA women ( N =17, Mage= 49.3 ± 11.24) completed individual interviews. Sessions were conducted by phone, audiotaped, transcribed, and coded by independent raters ( rs = .71–.73). Themes were identified using deductive and inductive approaches. Results Among sources of stress directly related to the pandemic, being at home, getting sick, and homeschooling/parenting were the most frequently discussed themes. Participants engaged in active coping (problem and emotion-focused), with health behaviors, social support, and religion/spirituality, emerging as frequently discussed themes. Although some participants reported passive coping strategies (e.g., avoidance), this approach was less pronounced. Conclusions These qualitative results are used to guide suggestions for future interventions that jointly address stress and health-related behaviors in order to improve translation of research into practice and policy for future pandemics and disasters.

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AN ANALYSIS OF THE FATIGUE RELATED FACTORS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

European Journal of Internal Medicine ◽

10.1016/s0953-6205(11)60391-9 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. S96 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vesile Unver ◽

Betöl Kilic ◽

Abdullah Bolu ◽

Seref Demirkaya

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Related Factors ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽

And Coping

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Illness-related factors, stress and coping strategies in relation to psychological distress in HIV-infected persons in Hong Kong

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/09540120500490093 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 977-982 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

I. Chan ◽

A. Au ◽

P. Li ◽

R. Chung ◽

M. P. Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Related Factors ◽

And Coping

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Coping strategies in relatives of people with schizophrenia before and after psychiatric admission

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.174.2.154 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 174 (2) ◽

pp. 154-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Marcia Scazufca ◽

Elizabeth Kuipers

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Expressed Emotion ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Psychiatric Admission ◽

Ways Of Coping ◽

Care Givers ◽

Before And After ◽

Coping Model ◽

And Coping

BackgroundMost research on expressed emotion (EE) has used an empirical approach to describe relatives' ways of coping with people with schizophrenia.AimsTo use the stress and coping model proposed by Lazarus and Folkman to examine how relatives coped with patients.MethodPatients with DSM–III–R schizophrenia and their relatives were assessed just after hospitalisation of the patients and nine months after discharge. Both assessments included the symptoms of the patients and the coping strategies, burden, distress and levels of EE of the relatives.ResultsFifty patients and 50 relatives were assessed at inclusion, and 31 patients and 36 relatives at follow-up. Coping strategies were used more frequently at inclusion than at follow-up. Problem-focused coping was the strategy used more often at both assessments. Avoidance coping was strongly associated with burden, distress and high EE at both assessments.ConclusionsWays of coping are influenced by relatives' perceptions of the situation with patients. Avoidance strategies seem to be less effective in regulating the distress of care-givers than problem-focused strategies.

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The Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS) Scale

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000350 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 352-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Silvia Bonino ◽

Federica Graziano ◽

Martina Borghi ◽

Davide Marengo ◽

Giorgia Molinengo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Rasch Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

And Coping

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.

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