Relationships Between Resilience and Health, Health Promotion, and Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Long-Standing Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract

Purpose: As people with long-standing disabling conditions age, the interplay between pre-existing conditions and new comorbidities can present unique challenges. Therefore, the current study explored relationships between resilience and health, health promotion, and quality of life among older adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method: Adults recruited from National MS Society chapters completed a mailed survey about their health, health promotion, and well-being.

Results: The 147 respondents (mean age = 72 years) reported an average of three additional comorbidities and had been diagnosed with MS for 35 years on average. Resilience scores were most highly correlated with depressive symptoms, spiritual growth, social support, incapacity status, and quality of life. Resilience scores significantly improved prediction of emotional health, after controlling for other functional and psychosocial variables.

Conclusion: Nurses can help patients with chronic conditions, such as MS, develop strategies for regulating their emotional health to adapt to new health challenges. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, xx(xx), xx-xx.].