Coping strategies and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS): A South African online perspective

Date
2020-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationship between coping strategies used by individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their quality of life (QoL) in the context of South Africa. Two hundred individuals (18 years and older) diagnosed with MS were recruited from the online Facebook support group, Multiple Sclerosis South Africa Western Cape. Participants were asked to complete a survey that consisted of a biographical questionnaire, a coping questionnaire (Brief Cope) as well as a QoL questionnaire (Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life questionnaire [MusiQoL]). Correlation analyses were performed to explore the relationship between QoL and coping. Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA’s were utilised to ascertain if there were differences in the mean coping and QoL scores between different groups (male and female) and sub-types of MS namely relapsing/remitting (RRMS), primary progressive (PPMS), secondary progressive (SPMS) and progressive relapsing (PRMS). A multiple regression was conducted to explore the predictors of QoL (independent variables: age, education, level of income, MS subtype, coping style, and dependent variable: QoL). The results of this study indicated that a relationship exists between the coping strategies used by individuals with MS and their level of QoL. Specifically, a significant positive relationship was identified between the use of emotional support, venting, positive reframing, acceptance and QoL. In contrast, a significant negative relationship was identified between the use of behavioural disengagement, mental disengagement, substance use, self-blame, and QoL. The results also highlighted a low QoL among this sample of South Africans with MS (measured with a mean global index score of 51.33 on the MusiQoL). Moreover, it was ascertained that MS sub-type had an affect on the coping strategies and QoL of individuals with MS in this sample. Finally, the results of this study also showed that planning (1.14 %), positive reframing (1.69%), acceptance (1.29 %), behavioural disengagement (1.23 %), and self-blame (9.85 %) account for some of the iii variance in the QoL of this sample. The findings of this study provided greater insight into the patterns of coping and QoL of individuals with MS in South Africa. These findings also highlight that the type of coping strategies used by the MS participants in our sample had a significant negative influence on their level of QoL.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: iv Opsomming Die primêre doel van hierdie studie was om die verhouding tussen die hantering strategieë gebruik deur individue met MS en hul lewensgehalte te ondersoek in die konteks van Suid-Afrika. 200 Individue (18 jaar en ouer) wat met MS gediagnoseer is, is gewerf vanaf die aanlyn Facebook-ondersteuningsgroep, “Multiple Sclerosis South Africa Western Cape”. Deelnemers is gevra om 'n opname te voltooi wat bestaan het uit 'n biografiese vraelys, 'n hantering strategieë vraelys (“Brief Cope”) asook 'n lewensgehalte vraelys (“Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life vraelys [MusiQoL]”). Onafhanklike steekproef-toetse en eenrigting ANOVA's is aangewend om vas te stel of daar verskille was in die gemiddelde hantering strategieë en lewensgehalte tellings tussen verskillende groepe (manlik en vroulik) en sub-tipes van MS naamlik, herhalende / oormaking MS, primêre progressiewe MS, sekondêre progressiewe MS en progressiewe terugval MS. Korrelasie-ontledings is uitgevoer om die verband tussen lewensgehalte en hantering strategieë te ondersoek. ‘n Veelvuldige regressie is uitgevoer om die voorspellers van lewensgehalte te ondersoek. Die resultate van hierdie studie het aangedui dat daar 'n verband bestaan tussen die hanteringstrategieë wat gebruik word deur individue met MS en hul lewensgehalte vlak. Meer spesifiek, 'n betekenisvolle positiewe verband is geïdentifiseer tussen die gebruik van emosionele ondersteuning, ontlugting, positiewe herraming, aanvaarding en lewensgehalte. In kontras hiermee is 'n betekenisvolle negatiewe verband geïdentifiseer tussen die gebruik van gedrags-ontkoppeling, geestelike onbetrokkenheid, dwelmgebruik, selfverwyt en lewensgehalte. Die resultate het ook beklemtoon dat 'n lae lewensgehalte (gemeet deur 'n gemiddelde globale indekspunt van 51,33) onder hierdie steekproef van Suid-Afrikaners met MS gevind is. Verder is vasgestel dat MS-subtipe 'n invloed het op die hanteringsafwyking en QoL van individue met MS in hierdie steekproef. Laastens, het hierdie resultate getoon dat beplanning (1,14%), positiewe herraming (1,69%), aanvaarding (1,29%), gedrags-ontkoppeling (1,23%) en selfverwyt (9,85%) verantwoordelik was vir ‘n deel van die afwyking in die lewensgehalte van hierdie deelnemers. Hierdie bevindings van hierdie studie het groter insig gebied in die hanterings patrone en lewensgehalte van individue met MS in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie bevindings beklemtoon ook dat die tipe hantering strategieë wat deur die MS-deelnemers in hierdie studie gebruik was 'n beduidende negatiewe invloed op hul vlak van lewensgehalte gehad het.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Quality of Life (QoL) -- South Africa, UCTD, Multiple sclerosis (MS) -- Psychological aspects, Coping skills
Citation