title: Depression, coping and level of neurological impairment in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: This study examined the relationship between coping and depression in multiple sclerosis patients, and how that relationship varies at different levels of physical impairment. One-hundred and one patients with clinically definite MS were assessed using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Ways of Coping Inventory (WCI) with three sub-scales developed by Wineman et al, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Depression was significantly higher at more advanced levels of neurologic impairment than at lower levels. Escape-Avoidance and Emotional Respite were positively related to level of depression. Planful Problem-Solving and Cognitive Reframing were negatively related to depression. An interaction between coping, depression, and level of neurologic impairment was observed in which Planful Problem-Solving and Cognitive Reframing were more strongly related to depression at higher levels of impairment. The interaction effect for Escape-Avoidance and Emotional Respite with depression and level of impairment did not reach significance. It was concluded that there is a significant interaction between level of neurologic impairment, coping behaviors, and depression in patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Goodkin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gatto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van der Wende
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors