C. Gomes, Portugal

Instituto Superior Miguel Torga Psychology

Presenter of 2 Presentations

e-Poster Presentations (ID 1106) AS33. Promotion of Mental Health

EPP0992 - Understanding Stress in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: The Joint Predictive Role of Disease Characteristics and Emotion Regulation Processes

Session Name
e-Poster Presentations (ID 1106)
Date
Sun, 11.04.2021
Session Time
07:30 - 23:59
Room
e-Poster Gallery
Lecture Time
07:30 - 07:30
Presenter

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. This condition is enhanced by stress. In turn, stress symptoms are a risk factor for the onset and progression of MS. However, knowledge about predictors of stress in patients with MS is scarce.

Objectives

This preliminary study aimed to verify whether the number of relapses, fatigue, physical disability (MS characteristics), experiential avoidance and self-judgment (emotion regulation processes) predict stress symptoms in patients diagnosed with MS.

Methods

A convenience sample of 101 patients diagnosed with MS and without other neurological diseases participated in this study. Participants completed the Depression Scale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, Analog Fatigue Scale, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Self-Judgment Subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale.

Results

All predictors initially hypothesized and years of education have significant correlations with stress symptoms. Simple linear regression analyses showed that the variables significantly predicted stress symptoms and were, therefore, included in the multiple linear regression model. This model explained 51.8% of the variance of the stress symptoms and showed that years of education, the number of relapses, fatigue, and experiential avoidance significantly predicted those symptoms.

Conclusions

The promotion of mental health mental in patients with MS must develop functional skills to deal with stress induced by years of education (possibly responsible for the degree of awareness about MS and its consequences), recurrence of relapses and fatigue, and should minimize emotion regulation strategies focused on experiential avoidance.

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Oral Communications (ID 1110) AS09. Depressive disorders

O099 - Exploring Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: The Effect of Neuropathic Pain, Shame, and Mindfulness

Date
Sat, 10.04.2021
Session Time
07:00 - 21:00
Room
On Demand
Lecture Time
22:24 - 22:36
Presenter

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with a progressive course. It is potentially disabling and affects mainly young adults. Depression is the mental disorder with the greatest comorbidity with MS and tends to worsen its symptomatology and course. However, knowledge about the predictors of depression in patients with MS is scarce.

Objectives

This preliminary study aimed to verify whether neuropathic pain (NP), internal (IS) and external (ES) shame and mindfulness predict depressive symptoms in patients with MS.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 95 patients diagnosed with MS and without other identified neurological diseases. Participants completed the Depression Subscale of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21, the Analogue Pain Scale of the Pain Detect Questionnaire, the External and Internal Shame Scale, and the Mindfulness Subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale.

Results

All potential predictors exhibited significant correlations with depressive symptoms and significantly predicted this symptomatology in simple linear regression models. Thus, they were included as covariates in the multiple linear regression model. This model explained a high percentage of the variance of depressive symptoms (40.5%) and identified NP, IS and mindfulness as significant predictors.

Conclusions

Interventions aimed at preventing/reducing depression in patients with MS should minimize IS and develop mindfulness and NP coping skills, in order to promote mental health in this target population and possibly prevent the exacerbation and progression of MS symptomatology.

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