Adjustment to multiple sclerosis: Application of a stress and coping model

This study examined the use of a stress and coping model of adjustment to m ultiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 122 MS patients were interviewed and com pleted self-administered scales at Time 1 and 12 months later, Time 2 (n = 96). Predictors included stressful life events, illness (duration, severity , and disability), social support, appraisal (threat and control/challenge) , and coping (problem focused and emotion [wishful thinking, self-blame, an d avoidance] focused). Adjustment outcomes were Time 2 depression, global d istress, social adjustment, and subjective health status. Results from hier archical regression analyses indicated that after controlling for the effec ts of Time-1 adjustment, better Time-2 adjustment was related to less disab ility, greater reliance on problem-focused coping, and less reliance on emo tion-focused coping. There was limited support for the stress buffering eff ects of coping and social support. Findings offer some support for the use of a stress and coping model of adaptation to MS.