Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: Links to mental health, self-esteem, and selfcompassion

Correspondence: Zumrut Gedik, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Department of Psychology, Balatcik Campus, Izmir Turkey Phone: +90 232 329 35 35-85 03 E-mail: zumrut.gedik@gmail.com Received: August 20, 2019; Revised: October 06, 2019; Accepted: October 29, 2019 ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the association of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with mental health, self-esteem, and selfcompassion in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Method: For this descriptive and cross-sectional study, a total of 89 volunteer Turkish MS patients completed the patient information form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and MS International Quality of Life Questionnaire. Depressed patients were compared with nondepressed patients regarding HRQoL, self-esteem, and self-compassion. Bivariate correlations between HRQoL, self-esteem, self-compassion, and mental health indices were calculated followed by hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Depressed MS patients had significantly lower HRQoL, self-esteem, and self-compassion compared to their nondepressed counterparts. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that physical HRQoL was significantly predicted by disability status and self-compassion, explaining 48% of the total variance. Anxiety and self-esteem explained 52% of the total variance of psychological HRQoL. Social HRQoL was significantly predicted by depression and self-esteem, which explained 21% of the total variance. Conclusion: The effects of MS and disability may not be avoidable, but self-related traits including self-esteem and selfcompassion can be modified through psychosocial interventions to improve HRQoL. The findings of the current study provided insights into which psychosocial factors to address in improving different domains of HRQoL in MS patients. Cultivating selfcompassion may increase HRQoL in the physical domain, while working with self-esteem and self-worth may improve the psychosocial domain.