RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ILLNESS UNCERTAINTY, STRESS, COPING, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AT ENTRY INTO A CLINICAL DRUG TRIAL

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relations hips among illness uncertainty, stress, coping, and emotional well-bei ng at the time of entry into a clinical drug trial. Hopefulness and mo od state were included as indicators of emotional well-being. The samp le included 59 clients who participated in a 2-year trial using methot rexate for progressive multiple sclerosis. Results indicated that ambu lation status, education, perceived stress, and illness uncertainty we re the best correlates of emotional well-being. The results suggest th at clients entering a drug trial with high levels of illness uncertain ty and stress are likely to experience mood disturbances and feel less hopeful about treatment effectiveness. This information may be used a s a foundation for developing nursing interventions designed to foster emotional well-being at the time of entry into drug trials. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company