Self-esteem is associated with perceived stress in multiple sclerosis patients.
Previous studies have showed that perceived stress (PS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes an important factor for disease onset, relapse, symptomatology and psychological adjustment.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot cross-sectional study was to examine the role of self-esteem in PS, after controlling for sociodemographical characteristics, depression and personality in MS patients.


METHODS
Sixty-six relapsing-remitting MS patients (66.67% females, mean age of 40 ± 11.1 years old, mean duration of disease 133.6 ± 128.8 months) were studied. Perceived stress, self-esteem, depression and personality type were assessed using self-administered questionnaires. Hierarchical multivariate regression modelling was used.


RESULTS
Higher education and depression and lower self-esteem were independently and significantly associated with increased PS, accounting for 40.5% of its variance. Univariate analyses revealed that low extroversion and openness and higher neurotism were associated with higher PS, although no significant after adjusting for other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Although our findings need further confirmation, psychological interventions targetting self-esteem are strongly encouraged.
Parthena
P
N Ifantopoulou
Artemios
A
K Artemiadis
Nikolaos
N
Triantafyllou
George
G
Chrousos
Ioannis
I
Papanastasiou
Christina
C
Darviri
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D004522:Educational Status; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
Depression,; Multiple sclerosis,; Personality,; Self-esteem,; Stress