Predictors of well-being among significant others of persons with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: To examine patient and significant other characteristics as predictors of significant other well-being.

Methods: A total of 74 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their significant others participated. Executive functioning was measured using neuropsychological tests. Awareness of cognitive deficit was measured as the discrepancy between the patient's reports of their abilities and objective test results. Awareness of functional deficit was measured as the discrepancy between the patient's and significant other's reports of the patient's functional abilities. Patient neurobehavioral disturbance was measured using a significant-other rated questionnaire. Significant other perceived social support and well-being (ie, psychological distress, life satisfaction, and general health status) were assessed using questionnaires filled out by the significant other.

Results: Executive dysfunction, neurobehavioral disturbance, and lack of awareness of functional deficits in patients were associated with poor well-being outcomes; whereas, lack of awareness of cognitive deficits was only weakly related to well-being. Social support was associated with positive well-being outcomes.

Conclusions: Diminished insight regarding functional limitations may increase significant others' supervisory burden as patients attempt activities independently, whereas lack of awareness of cognitive deficits may not be directly associated with behavior-relevant impairments that significant others find distressing. Social support appears to be a powerful aid in diffusing the distress among significant others of MS patients.