Loneliness in Multiple Sclerosis: Possible Antecedents and Correlates.

PURPOSE

The prevalence and possible antecedents and correlates of loneliness in multiple sclerosis (MS) was examined.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, comparative study of MS (n = 63) and healthy adults (n = 21).

METHODS

Data were collected using self-reports of loneliness and antecedents and correlates and analyzed using inferential statistics.

FINDINGS

Those with MS had significantly higher loneliness scores than healthy adults (p < .05), and this was explained by employment status. Possible antecedents included marital status (p < .05), upper extremity function (r= -.28, p < .03), social disability frequency (r= -.49, p < .00), social disability limitations (r= -.38, p < .00), and personal disability limitations (r= -.29, p < .03). Social disability frequency (beta = -.41, p < .001) and marital status (beta = -.23, p < .046) accounted for 25% of the variance in loneliness scores. Possible correlates included depression (r= .49, p < .00), cognitive fatigue (r= .34, p < .01), psychosocial fatigue (r= .30, p < .02), and psychological quality of life (r= .44, p < .00).

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence of loneliness in persons with MS, and this is associated with possible antecedents (e.g., marital status and disability limitations) and correlates (e.g., depression and fatigue).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Loneliness should be recognized clinically as an important concomitant of MS.