Impact on Interpersonal Relationships Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Partners

Overview

Journal Neurodegener Dis Manag

Date 2019 May 23

PMID 31116077

Citations 6

Authors

Leslie Beth Herbert

Kristine Zerkowski

Sarah OBrien

Kathryn Volpicelli Leonard

Amrita Bhowmick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To determine how the diagnosis and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) impact interpersonal relationships. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 1010 individuals with MS responding to an online survey; responses were compared with results of a fibromyalgia survey. MS participants had few negative perceptions of relationships with romantic partners/children/close friends but described the impact of fatigue and limited mobility as feelings of being not well understood by others, burdensome and isolated. Despite increasing disability/pain severity, most patients with MS reported high satisfaction levels and few negative perceptions of relationships with romantic partners/children/close friends. Future research should focus on identifying effective coping strategies used by satisfied couples and improving access to high-quality relationship-enrichment programs.

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