Coping and benefit seeking as determinants of health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study

In the absence of a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), improving the quality of life of those affected becomes a vital priority, especially for those in advanced stages of the disease. The quality of life of people with MS depends not only on medical treatments but also on the ability to adapt to the disease and seek out the positive aspects of the situation. This cross-sectional study presents a model that analyzes whether in people with MS benefit-finding will have a positive direct effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and an indirect effect through the use of coping strategies, depending on whether or not the individual has a recognized disability. The sample consisted of 250 MS Spanish patients (mean age = 41.74 ± 10.34 years, 70.8% female). Correlations, hierarchical multiple linear regression, and multiple mediation analysis were used to analyze the data. Benefit-finding was found to have no significant direct effect on HRQoL. Only in participants whose disability was officially recognized the mediating effect of planning (B = -3.79, SE = 1.68, 95% CI: -7.58/-1.05) and self-distraction (B = -2.53, SE = 1.35, 95% CI: -5.55/-.34) between benefit-finding and HRQoL was negative, while that of emotional support (B = 9.81, SE = 2.58, 95% CI: 5.23/15.39) and acceptance (B = 3.87, SE = 2.22, 95% CI: .10/8.89) was positive. In conclusion, benefit-finding exerts a beneficial effect on HRQoL in people with advanced MS only through acceptance and emotional support. The unpredictable nature of MS likely demands a well-developed and sophisticated repertoire of coping strategies that can respond flexibly to the complex and variable stressors that arise throughout the disease trajectory.