Intrapsychic and Interpersonal Realms in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Comparison with Normal...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting cognitive and emotional functions.
• Understanding object relations and anger control in MS patients is crucial for comprehensive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare object relations and anger control between individuals with MS and healthy controls.
• To identify specific differences in psychological functioning related to MS.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional case-control study involving 80 MS patients and 80 healthy controls.
• Utilized the Bell Object Relations and the Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 (STAXI-2).
• Data analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics, including stepwise regression.

Main Results:

• No significant overall difference in object relations, except for alienation of relations (P=0.035).
• No statistically significant difference in the general anger index between MS patients and controls.
• 12.8% of MS patients showed significant differences in state anger, trait anger, and anger control, particularly in angry temperament (P=0.025) and anger expression-in (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

• MS patients, as a group, do not significantly differ from healthy individuals in object relations and anger management.
• Specific subgroups of MS patients may experience altered anger expression and temperament.
• Further research is needed to explore the complex psychological factors influencing MS patients.