Examining the roles of self-compassion and resilience on health-related quality of life for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Background

There are over 400,000 individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the U.S. These individuals experience unpredictable relapses of disabling conditions and poorer quality of life than the general population. Recent literature suggests self-compassion and resilience may improve wellness in this population.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the roles of self-compassion and resilience on perceived health-related quality of life for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using mediation analysis.

Methods

Two hundred fifty-nine adults with MS from MS advocacy, support, exercise, and education groups around the United States participated in the study. Participants' self-compassion, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and resilience were assessed using self-report measures. A simple mediation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the independent variable, self-compassion, the depended variable, HRQoL, and the mediating variable, resilience.

Results

Results showed a significant direct effect between self-compassion and health-related quality of life (β = 0.49, p < 0.0001, CI = 0.37–0.61), as well as an indirect relationship through resilience (β = 0.18 p < 0.0001, CI: 0.17, 0.47).

Conclusion

These results contribute to the theoretical knowledge of how self-compassion influences HRQoL in this population. For individuals with MS, engaging in self-compassion may provide a strategy to cope with debilitating conditions and reframe perceptions of their health. Additionally, increasing resilience may help individuals overcome stressful and traumatic events and experience quality of life with disability. Self-compassion and resilience are both modifiable constructs that can be targeted by programs seeking to improve overall wellness.