This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1352458508100048v1 15/7/876    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Bogosian, A Articles by Dennison, L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bogosian, A Articles by Dennison, L Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Experiences of partners of people in the early stages of multiple sclerosis

School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UKab2406{at}soton.ac.uk

R Moss-Morris

School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

L Yardley

School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

L Dennison

School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

Background

Partners of people with multiple sclerosis are known to experience a heavy physical and psychological burden. However, little research has explored, in detail, the partners’ experience in the first years after diagnosis. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of partners of people who are in the relatively early stages of multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to assess partners’ concerns and difficulties. Data were audio-taped, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Key themes were being unsure of what the future might hold and feeling helpless and out of control. Furthermore, partners reported that other people could not understand and support them, which led to a feeling of social isolation.

Conclusion

The research illustrates the disruptive impact that MS has on partners’ lives and highlights the need for support to focus on partners’ needs even in early stages of the disease.

Key Words: adjustment • coping • experiences • family • multiple sclerosis • partners

This version was published on July 1, 2009

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 15, No. 7, 876-884 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458508100048


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?