Psychological resilience mediates the relationship between perceived neuropsychological impairment and quality of life in a sample of patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

AbstractThe impact of subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has practically not been studied. In this study the relationship between subjective cognitive concerns and quality of life in PwMS was explored. Furthermore, to explore whether psychological resilience acts as a mediator in the relationship between SCCs and QoL. A total of 214 PwMS were surveyed using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory, the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Our results showed that, SCCs is a predictor of levels of perceived QoL in PwMS. Patients who report higher scores on the MSNQ also showed a worse quality of life in global terms. The results also showed that resilience mediates the relationship between SCCs and QoL, both for the physical dimension of quality of life (physical health composite) and for the mental health dimension (mental health composite). In our patients, as resilience levels increase, the negative impact of SCCs on QoL decreases. Considering that resilience is a modifiable protective factor, the implementation of interventions aimed at enhancing resilience can have a favorable impact on the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis.