Adversarial Growth in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and their Partners: Relationships with Illness Perceptions, Disability and Distress

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their partners show adversarial growth and to examine which psychological and disability variables contribute to this in patients and their partners. The study also investigated the relationship between growth and distress. Seventy-two patients with MS and their partners provided demographic information and completed measures of posttraumatic growth, illness perceptions, depression, cognitive function and disability. Both patients and partners showed adversarial growth, with patients reporting significantly higher growth than partners. The only significant predictor for patient growth was partner growth, and vice versa. Dissimilarity in illness representations between patients and their partners on the consequences of MS dimension, patient mood and patient growth accounted for significant variance in partner growth. The findings support the idea of a 'communal search for meaning' where patients and their partners experience the trauma of having a chronic illness and subsequently find positive aspects together.

Posttraumatic Growth and its Relationship With Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in Shiraz, Iran

“…It has been reported in some studies that patients with severe conditions perceiving positive changes were more likely to experience growth and also a better quality of life (Carroll, 2014). The findings of this study are also in agreement with several studies exploring posttraumatic growth in patients with MS. For example, Ackroyd et al, (2011) found a higher growth in these patients following the diagnosis of illness.…”

Psychological Transformation by an Intervention to Facilitate Benefit Finding Among People With Chronic Mental Illness in Japan

“…In this study, psychological distress before the intervention was higher among participants who experienced some sort of benefit during the program component compared with those who did not. While some studies have reported that greater levels of depression are associated with less benefit finding (Ackroyd et al., ), Calhoun and Tedeschi () claim that distress and growth after adversity exist in different dimensions. One can argue that benefit finding tends to be experienced more by people who have experienced significant pain, which frequently produces severe distress.…”

“…As many studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between benefit finding and adjustment across a range of chronic physical illnesses (Helgeson, Reynolds, & Tomich, ; Linley & Joseph, ), some researchers have suggested that benefit finding can restore one's meaning and also facilitate adjustment (Costa & Pakenham, ). Some researchers have even suggested that benefit finding can predict the quality of life (Brand, Barry, & Gallagher, in press); however, no consensus has yet emerged regarding the relationship between benefit finding and depression (Ackroyd et al., ).…”

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship

“…When a spousal partner has multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with an unpredictable clinical course, navigating intimate relationships may be both challenging and rewarding. Couples dealing with MS have identified positive outcomes for their relationship, such as personal growth through facing adversity and other challenges together (Ackroyd et al, ). Couples identified personal growth as a benefit of living with MS and that each partner's growth depended on the other, an indication that couples search for and find meaning together (Ackroyd et al, ).…”

“…Couples dealing with MS have identified positive outcomes for their relationship, such as personal growth through facing adversity and other challenges together (Ackroyd et al, ). Couples identified personal growth as a benefit of living with MS and that each partner's growth depended on the other, an indication that couples search for and find meaning together (Ackroyd et al, ). Partners in caring roles described strengthening of relationships in general as a positive outcome (Pakenham, ).…”