title: Illness Perception and Well-Being Among Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Caregivers.
abstract: This study jointly examined illness beliefs held by persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and caregivers in relation to well-being. A group of 68 PwMS and their caregivers completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, Psychological Well-being Scales, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule. Findings revealed that PwMS' well-being was primarily predicted by their own illness beliefs, and that also caregivers' well-being was primarily predicted by their own beliefs. Across the two groups, well-being was positively associated with their belief that they understood the disease, and inversely associated with their representations of negative emotions. In addition, among PwMS, well-being was inversely associated with the number of symptoms they specifically attributed to their illness, while among caregivers, well-being was positively associated with beliefs that treatment could control the disease. Based on the study findings, psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral strategies are suggested to promote well-being among PwMS and caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy. marta.bassi@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassi
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falautano
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, University Polyclinic Hospital G. Rodolico, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cilia
authors.affiliation: Department of NEUROFARBA, Section Neurosciences, 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 Center - UOC Neurology Unit, Hospital of Vaio-Fidenza, Fidenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pattini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, 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, Section Neurosciences, 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, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugaresi
authors.affiliation: Neurological Department, Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Minacapelli
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center - UOC Neurology Unit, Hospital of Vaio-Fidenza, Fidenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, 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, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Hedonic balance; Illness perceptions; Multiple sclerosis; Psychological well-being; Satisfaction with life