Self-concept, illness acceptance and depressive and anxiety symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kiropoulos, Litza; Ward, Natalie; Rozenblat, Vanja
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 26:Number 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1197
• Page End: 1206
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: anxiety -- depression -- illness acceptance -- multiple sclerosis -- self-concept; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105319871639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Little research has examined the relationship between self-concept and depressive and anxiety symptoms and whether this is moderated by illness acceptance in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Results of an online self-report survey completed by 515 individuals with multiple sclerosis revealed that self-concept was negatively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms with illness acceptance moderating the association such that individuals with highest self-concept and illness acceptance had the lowest levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Findings lend support to psychological interventions that focus on increasing illness acceptance and fostering positive self-concept in individuals with multiple sclerosis.