Positive orientation in the context of ways of coping with stress and social support in patients with multiple sclerosis

Introduction:
The aim of this study was to assess in detail the relationship between positive orientation and coping strategies adopted to deal with stress, and perceived social support among patients with multiple sclerosis.

Material and methods:
Sixty patients of the Multiple Sclerosis Outpatient Clinic operating at the L. Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Kraków participated in the study. The project was questionnaire-based. The following tools were used: the Mini-COPE Stress Coping Inventory, the SWS Social Support Scale, and the Positive Orientation Scale (P Scale).

Results:
The correlation between scores on the Positive Orientation Scale and the Social Support Scale and its subscales was statistically significant, but negative. A positive correlation was found between patients’ scores on the Positive Orientation Scale and the use of pro-developmental coping strategies. A statistically significant negative correlation between positive orientation and destructive coping strategies was found. The expected statistically significant differences in perceived social support between the in- and out-of-relationship groups and between men and women were not detected.

Conclusions
This study extends previous knowledge regarding the detailed relationships between positive orientation and adopted coping strategies, coping with a diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and perceived social support. The study specifically captures the complex relationship between the variables studied and the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. To date, this issue has been addressed only by analysing the impact of individual variables separately. The paper simultaneously combines and compares various factors supporting health.