Emotional control and illness acceptance in patients with multiple sclerosis – preliminary findings

Abstract

Aim of the study: Mental disorders occur in about 75% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Examination of the mental state of patients with multiple sclerosis is important for assessing the course of the disease and undertaking appropriate therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to assess emotional control and disease acceptance in multiple sclerosis. Methods: 66 people were qualified for the study, including 34 patients with multiple sclerosis and 32 age- and sex-matched controls. Emotional control was assessed using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), and disease acceptance was evaluated using The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Additionally, a proprietary questionnaire was used to assess auto and allopsychic orientation and to collect demographic data. Results: Stronger suppression of depression and a lower level of disease acceptance were found in the group of patients with multiple sclerosis compared to patients suffering from neurological diseases without organic brain damage. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis with higher education achieved results suggesting a higher level of suppression of emotions and suppression of depression than education-matched controls. Patients with multiple sclerosis with secondary and higher education scored significantly higher, which means worse illness acceptance, than those with primary education. Conclusions: Due to the association of emotional suppression with the development of chronic diseases and the level of disease acceptance with adaptation to a chronic health condition, it is recommended to periodically assess these correlates as part of standard psychological examination in patients with multiple sclerosis.