title: Well-being in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot experience sampling study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this longitudinal study was to identify predictors of instantaneous well-being in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on flow theory well-being was expected to be highest when perceived demands and perceived control were in balance, and that thinking about the past would be a risk factor for rumination which would in turn reduce well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the experience sampling method, data on current activities, associated aspects of perceived demands, control, and well-being were collected from 10 patients with ALS three times a day for two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RESULTS show that perceived control was uniformly and positively associated with well-being, but that demands were only positively associated with well-being when they were perceived as controllable. Mediation analysis confirmed thinking about the past, but not thinking about the future, to be a risk factor for rumination and reduced well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings extend our knowledge of factors contributing to well-being in ALS as not only perceived control but also perceived demands can contribute to well-being. They further show that a focus on present experiences might contribute to increased well-being.
authors: Department of Psychology I, Institute of Psychology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Ruben G L
authors: RG
authors: Real
authors: Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics, Research Group "Stochastic Algorithms and Nonparametric Statistics" Berlin, Germany.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Dickhaus
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Ulm Ulm, Germany.
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Ludolph
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Hautzinger
authors: Department of Psychology I, Institute of Psychology, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany ; Institute for Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Kübler
keywords: ALS; ESM; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; coping; experience sampling; reminiscence; rumination; well-being