THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF MOTOR-NEURON DISEASE

Self-report measures were completed by 59 individuals with motor neuro ne disease (MND) in order to assess whether: (a) MND affects patients' psychological well-being and quality of life; (b) if greater affectiv e disorder is associated with greater physical disability; (c) whether accepting the illness and ways of coping have an impact on psychologi cal distress, and (d) if beliefs over control of their health shift as the disease progresses. Results indicated that the effects of MND on everyday functioning accounted for incidence of depression and low sel f-esteem. Acceptance of illness was related to severity of symptoms an d was a significant factor irrespective of level of physical symptomat ology. Ways of coping with the illness did not relate in any significa nt way to severity of symptoms. Mild physical impairments were associa ted with an 'internal' view of control over health.