title: Spiritual wellbeing and perceived uncertainty in patients with multiple sclerosis in south-east Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) over the previous decade in Iran has been examined in the literature. This chronic and unpredictable disease creates psychological impairment, including uncertainty, among patients. It is important to examine the extent of uncertainty experienced by patients with MS and their spiritual wellbeing. It could also be useful to assess the relationship between these two variables.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to examine the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and uncertainty among MS patients in south-east Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample in this cross-sectional, descriptive study comprised 200 non-hospitalised patients with MS referred to a disease centre in Kerman (south-east Iran). Using the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS-C) and spiritual wellbeing scale (SWB), data were collected and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study results showed that the total mean score of SWB was 93.81 (SD=15.25). The mean score of the sub-scale of religious wellbeing was greater than the sub-scale of existential wellbeing (50.80 vs 43.01). The mean score of uncertainty scale was 67.20 (12/35). The highest mean score belonged to the sub-category of ambiguity (32.24±7.90). Pearson correlation test showed that perceived uncertainty score negatively correlated with spiritual wellbeing (r=-0.345; p=0.000), existential wellbeing (r=-0.421; p=0/00) and religious wellbeing (r=-0.172; p=0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MS patients should be offered opportunities to reflect on their experiences, feelings, actions and reactions to spirituality to enhance the possibility of using their personal experiences as part of positive and constructive learning. The study results suggest that information about spirituality and spiritual care should be included in the continuous and in-service education of MS patients and nurses working with them.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Haft Bagh BLV, School of Nursing and Midwifery.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iranmanesh
authors.forename: Batool
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tirgari
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tofighi
authors.forename: Mansooreh Azizzadeh
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Forouzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D029181:Spirituality; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Perceived uncertainty; Spiritual wellbeing