Fear of relapse and quality of life in multiple sclerosis: The mediating role of psychological resilience

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Nov:79:105026. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105026. Epub 2023 Sep 29.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between fear of relapse and quality of life in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This cross-sectional study was developed online. A total of 240 PwMS were surveyed using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life inventory, the Fear of Relapse Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. To perform the mediation analysis PROCESS macro was used. In our study, fear of relapse was a predictor of psychological resilience and quality of life, and psychological resilience was a predictor of quality of life. Finally, psychological resilience showed a mediating role in the relationship between fear of relapse and quality of life. Considering that resilience is a modifiable variable, the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing resilience can have a favorable impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Fear of relapse; Multiple sclerosis; Psychological resilience; Quality of life.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fear
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / psychology
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Resilience, Psychological*