The association between executive functioning, coping styles and depressive symptoms in patients with Multiple...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease impacting cognitive functions.
• Executive functioning deficits are common in MS and may influence mental health outcomes.
• Understanding the interplay between cognition, coping, and depression is crucial for patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the direct, mediated, and moderated relationships between executive functioning, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms in individuals with MS.
• To identify potential mediating or moderating roles of coping mechanisms in the association between executive function and depression.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional cohort study involving 68 MS patients.
• Standardized neuropsychological evaluation for executive functioning.
• Coping was assessed using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations.
• Depressive symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
• Confirmatory factor analysis and path analyses were employed.

Main Results:

• Executive functioning was not directly related to task- or emotion-oriented coping.
• Poorer executive functioning and greater reliance on avoidance coping were associated with increased depressive symptoms.
• Avoidance coping significantly mediated the relationship between executive dysfunction and depressive symptoms.
• No direct effect of executive functioning on depression or moderation by coping styles was found.

Conclusions:

• Task- and emotion-oriented coping strategies do not appear to influence the executive function-depression link in MS.
• Increased reliance on avoidance coping may be associated with better mental health outcomes in MS patients regarding depressive symptoms.
• These findings highlight the complex role of coping mechanisms in the mental health of individuals with MS.