Executive function is an important consideration for coping strategy use in people with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Executive function deficits are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
• PwMS tend to use less adaptive coping strategies compared to healthy individuals.
• This study investigated the relationship between executive function and coping mechanisms in PwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between specific executive functions and various coping strategies in people with multiple sclerosis.
• To identify how executive function abilities influence the selection of adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
• To inform clinical interventions aimed at enhancing coping abilities in PwMS.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 107 participants with multiple sclerosis (relapsing remitting or secondary progressive).
• Participants completed standardized measures assessing coping strategies and executive function.
• Statistical analyses were performed to determine the relationships between executive function indices and coping styles.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations were observed between verbal fluency and active, emotional, and instrumental social support coping.
• Total executive function showed a positive association with substance abuse coping.
• Negative relationships were found between executive function and several coping strategies, including social support, acceptance, religion, restraint, denial, humor, and behavioral disengagement.

Conclusions:

• Specific executive functions are important for the utilization of particular coping strategies in PwMS.
• Findings highlight the need to consider executive function status when developing interventions for coping.
• This research supports psychologists and neuropsychologists in psychoeducation and designing adaptive coping interventions for PwMS with executive dysfunction.