Self-awareness assessment in Multiple Sclerosis patients and its relationship with depression: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a widespread autoimmune disease that affects millions of people globally. Depression among patients with MS remains poorly understood. Self-awareness, the recognition of one's emotions and limitations, has emerged as a potential factor that influences mental health. This study assessed self-awareness and its link to depression in patients with MS, thus contributing to mental health knowledge. These findings may inform targeted interventions to achieve better outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study assessed the self-awareness of patients with MS. This study included 97 patients referred to the MS Research Center at Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Self-awareness was evaluated using the Self-Consciousness Scale Revised (SCSR). Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). SCSR and BDI-II scores were calculated separately for each category. Participants completed an online questionnaire. Results The mean age of participants was 38.66 years. Family history was positive in 18.6% of the participants. The mean BDI-II was 18.40 ± 12.321. The mean for private self-consciousness was 10.28 ± 2.775, for public self-consciousness, and social anxiety was 13.32 ± 3.572, and 13.32 ± 3.405, respectively. Significant association was observed between self-awareness and BDI-II (p < 0.05). Conclusions Patients with Multiple Sclerosis have low private self-consciousness; high on public self-consciousness whereas average score was noted for social anxiety. There is a statistically significant link between specific sub-categories of self-awareness and severity of depression in MS patients. Concealed prognostic factors might be linked to self-awareness in individuals living with MS. Therefore, additional adamant and vibrant studies are highly endorsed.