title: The coexistence of well- and ill-being in persons with multiple sclerosis, their caregivers and health professionals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on emotional distress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) broadened the traditional bio-medical focus in MS research, but little attention was paid to general well-being indicators.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate for the first time both ill-being and well-being dimensions in persons with MS (PwMSs), caregivers and health professionals, in relation to both health and life in general.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-center study assessed participants' depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), HRQOL (Short Form-36), psychological well-being (Psychological Well-Being Scales), optimal experience (Flow Questionnaire), life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale), hedonic balance (Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule). Demographic and clinical information was also gathered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 71 PwMSs, 71 caregivers and 26 professionals were enrolled (N=168). Compared to healthy populations, PwMSs reported higher depression, lower HRQOL and lower general well-being; caregivers presented higher depression and lower general well-being; professionals reported the best ill- and well-being profiles. However, after controlling for demographic differences in age and education, hierarchical regressions highlighted that, though PwMSs reported higher depression and lower HRQOL than caregivers and professionals, their general well-being substantially leveled off.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Well-being coexists with ill-being. It can counterbalance the negative effects of disease or caregiving, and its measurement could complement and support medical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milano, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: marta.bassi@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falautano
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University Polyclinic Hospital G. Rodolico, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cilia
authors.affiliation: Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, S. Anna Hospital, Como, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grobberio
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, UOC Neurology Unit, Hospital of Vaio-Fidenza, Fidenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pattini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pietrolongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa Gemma
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Viterbo
authors.affiliation: Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, S. Anna Hospital, Como, Italy.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benin
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugaresi
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, UOC Neurology Unit, Hospital of Vaio-Fidenza, Fidenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University Polyclinic Hospital G. Rodolico, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trojano
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Caregivers; Depression; Health professionals; Multiple sclerosis; Patients; Quality of life; Well-being