[The process of meaning-making in adjustment to multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
Progressive neurological disorders require continual adaptation. People who maintain a better psychological balance in the face of the disease are those who find meaning in their experience. The ability to find a positive meaning in having multiple sclerosis (MS) is more common in people who are at the beginning of their disease or those who have few functional limitations (Pakenham, 2008). This qualitative study examines the process of meaning-making by people who are moderately to severely affected by MS.


METHODS
Eight participants told the story of their experiences in individual semi-structured interviews. The verbatim transcripts were subjected to phenomenological analysis.


RESULTS
The results allowed the identification of the essential elements that shape the experience of meaning-making. The adaptation happens in two main areas: (1) limiting the impact of specific symptoms, and (2) investing in activities that combine meaningful relationships and the feeling of being useful. Meaning is developed in the search for a new existential balance that reconciles creative tensions, particularly in the oscillation between letting go and determination. The process of meaning-making is distributed along a continuum of strategies that allows one to act as if nothing had happened, act within the limits of the disease, act despite the disease, act in new ways because of the disease, or act thanks to the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the process of meaning-making while adjusting to MS can allow the identification of possible interventions to better accompany people who are most severely affected by MS in their adaptation to the disease.
Centre de réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau, 2275, Laurier est, Montréal, H2H 2N8 Canada. Electronic address: ccouture.crlb@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
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Couture
Département de psychologie, faculté des lettres et sciences, université de Sherbrooke, 2500, boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1 Canada.
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Brassard
Département de psychologie, faculté des lettres et sciences, université de Sherbrooke, 2500, boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1 Canada.
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Brault-Labbé
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment
Adaptation psychologique; Multiple sclerosis; Psychological adaptation; Qualitative research; Recherche qualitative; Sclérose en plaques