Follow-up study of benefit finding in multiple sclerosis and health-related quality of life. The effect of anxiety and emotion-focused coping strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that causes major disability and has a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, benefit finding even when suffering uncontrollable and unpredictable diseases such as MS has been associated with adjustment perhaps because of its relationship with more frequent use of emotion-focused coping strategies (CS). Therefore, using a two-time-point follow-up design, this study analysed the processes (use of emotion-focused CS in time 1 and anxiety in time 2) through which searching for benefits linked to MS at time 1 was associated with HRQoL at time 2.

METHODS AND MEASURES: The sample comprised 72 Spanish adults diagnosed with MS who answered a survey with a 3 and half year time lapse.

RESULTS: A multiple sequential mediation shows no direct relationship between benefit finding and HRQoL; however, benefit finding was indirectly associated with greater HRQoL using emotion-focused CS such as seeking emotional support and acceptance at time 1, strategies that reduce anxiety at time 2.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the need for intervention programmes designed to enhance the search for benefits linked to the disease and include certain emotion-focused CS to improve mental health and HRQoL among people diagnosed with MS.