Interaction Strain and Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: Effectiveness of a Social Skills Program

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a social skills training program in helping persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) increase socialization skills specifically designed to lessen interaction strain with persons who are not disabled. A second purpose focused on the effects of social skills training on increasing self-esteem, self-efficacy beliefs, and self-referent thoughts of persons with MS. Participants in this study included twenty-six persons with MS who were randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group. While there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups on any measure, the results suggest that these persons with MS maintained positive self-images and apparently experienced no particular anxiety in social interactions.