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This version was published on March 1, 2007
Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 13, No. 2, 238-249 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458506070754
© 2007 SAGE Publications

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

T E Sherman

Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA, tsherman{at}dmc.org

L J Rapport

Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

R A Hanks

Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

K A Ryan

Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

P A Keenan

Science Oriented Solutions, Kenesaw, GA 30144, USA

O Khan

Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

R P Lisak

Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

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.

Key Words: anosognosia • awareness of deficit • caregiver • multiple sclerosis • neurobehavioral • significant other • social support • subjective well-being


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