Surprising coping strategies in multiple sclerosis: where do you fall?

[The MS Wire]

Interesting. The results of this study are similar to one that I just wrote about involving strategies that have been used by older folks with MS:

https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.c...g-old-with-ms/

Ed

[funnybutnotfunny]

I definitely use humor and acceptance. I don't have "symptoms", I have "party tricks".

Hey it takes mad skillz to trip over a flat surface

[funnybutnotfunny]

Three people with MS walked into a bar . . .

Well, we know which is your go to!!

[running for my health]

I definitely use humor and acceptance. I don't have "symptoms", I have "party tricks".

[Suebee]

Three people with MS walked into a bar . . .

[funnybutnotfunny]

Interesting. . .

I am not sure where I fall. At first glance, I think humor is probably my go to. The more I look at the list, I think it depends on my mood lol

[ActiveMSers]

This is an interesting study about how people tend to cope with this disease of ours according to sex, age, disability and type of MS. Turns out, humor is a persistent strategy for guys--go figure! - D

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Identification of coping strategies in Multiple Sclerosis

E. James1, R.J. Mills2, A. Tennant3, C.A. Young4,5, TONiC Study Group 1Barts and The London School of Medicine, London, 2Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, United Kingdom, 3Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland, 4Walton Centre NHS Trust, 5University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Background: The physical, psychological and social impacts of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) require the patient to develop coping strategies in order to address the adverse outcomes of the disorder. The aim of our study was to identify how coping strategies vary according to demographic and clinical factors.

Method: As part of the UK TONiC study, MS patients completed the Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Scale (COPE60), consisting of 15 domains of coping skills, along with data on demographic and clinical characteristics. We generated mean frequencies of each coping domain using SPSS22, to compare use between gender, age, disability and disease type using the Mann-Whitney U Test.

Results: 722 patients completed the questionnaire, with an average age of 49 years (17-82); 519 females (71.9%). The most common coping strategies used were Acceptance (mean=7.20, SD=2.94) and Active Coping (6.47, 2.89); the least common were Substance Use (1.05, 2.30) and Denial (2.15, 2.42).

Patients aged < 50 years were found to use more Humour (z=-3.602, p=0.0003) and Substance Use (z=-3.076, p=0.002) as coping strategies; whereas those aged ≥50 years were more likely to use Religion (z=-3.508, p=0.0005), Restraint (z=-3.739, p=0.0002) and Suppression of Competing Activities (z=-2.38, p=0.017).

Women were more likely to use Focusing on and Venting of Emotions (z=-5.192, p< 0.00001), Religion (-2.014, p=0.044), and both Seeking Instrumental (z=-3.090, p=0.002) and Emotional Social Support (z=-4.732, p< 0.00001). Men used more Humour (z=-2.661, p=0.008) and Acceptance (z=-3.031, p=0.002).

Patients with an EDSS score ≥7 or who were progressive in their disease course used more Mental (z=-2.380, p=0.17) and Behavioural Disengagement (z=-2.850, p=0.004). Progressive patients were also more likely to use Restraint (z=-2.342, p=0.019) or Religion (z=-2.350, p=0.019), whereas relapsing patients were more likely to Seek Instrumental (z=-2.029, p=0.042) or Emotional Social Support (z=-2.462, p=0.014).

Conclusion: People with MS mainly favour an active, adaptive coping approach. However, different coping strategies are deployed depending on age, gender, disability and between progressive and relapsing patients. Older and more disabled patients are more likely to use an avoidant pattern of coping.