Love, self-esteem, and multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive chronic disease which generally appears in early adulthood. The debilitating symptoms of MS can have adverse effects on the sufferer's self-esteem, a vital coping resource for sufferers of chronic diseases. This study explores the effects of positive affect and social isolation--conceived broadly together as love--on self-esteem. We found that love was the most powerful predictor of self-esteem, followed by attitude stage, number of years since diagnosis, social class, and physical restriction.
Walsh
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Department of Sociology, Boise State University, ID 83725.
Walsh
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D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D012934:Social Isolation