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Alexithymia and Coping With Stress in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Comparative Study
Summary
Alexithymia, difficulty identifying emotions, is more prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This condition negatively impacts their stress coping mechanisms, necessitating targeted nursing interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts young adults, affecting mental health through disease symptoms and cognitive impairments.
- Understanding the psychological impact of MS, including emotional processing and coping strategies, is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate alexithymia and coping strategies in MS patients.
- To determine the relationship between alexithymia and coping styles in MS.
- To compare these factors between MS patients and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative study involving 120 MS patients and 120 healthy controls.
- Data collection via personal information forms, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Ways of Coping Scale.
Main Results:
- Alexithymia occurred in 40.8% of MS patients, significantly higher than in healthy individuals (21.7%).
- MS patients more frequently employed emotion-focused coping strategies compared to healthy controls.
- A negative correlation was observed between alexithymia and problem-focused coping in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Alexithymia is more common in MS patients and impairs their ability to cope with stress.
- Nurses should focus on interventions that enhance emotional recognition and expression, and promote positive coping in MS patients.
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