The Influence of Positive Experiences on Depression and Quality of Life in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Purpose: This correlational study determined the extent to which positive, rather than negative, experiences influence depressive symptoms and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Data collected during the 7th year of an ongoing longitudinal study of quality of life in community-dwelling persons with MS were used for this analysis. Findings: Higher number of positive experiences was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, less functional limitations, and better quality of life. Using hierarchical multiple regression, age, education, functional limitations, and positive experiences accounted for 21.7% of the variance in depressive symptoms, and functional limitations, positive experiences, and depressive symptoms explained 58% of the variance in quality of life. Conclusions: Higher number of positive experiences predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms, even while taking disease-related functional limitations into account. Incorporating positive experiences into daily life may improve quality of life, even when battling depression and substantial limitations in functioning.