title: Multiple sclerosis: the relationship among self-esteem, social support, and coping behavior.
abstract: This study examines the relationship of self-esteem and social support to problem-focused coping behavior of 101 individuals with multiple sclerosis, a chronic progressive disease. Results included a significant relationship between self-esteem and problem-focused coping; a nonsignificant relationship between social support and problem-focused coping; and that self-esteem and social support taken together did not contribute significantly to problem-focused coping. Although the most frequently used coping strategies employed were problem focused, subjects did use combinations of problem- and emotion-focused strategies to deal with stressful encounters. The findings highlight the importance of assessing self-esteem, social support, and coping behavior of persons afflicted with multiple sclerosis and thus with the ever present potential for physical deterioration.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires