Fear of relapse in multiple sclerosis: examining the roles of perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty.

BACKGROUND

Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is characterized by considerable uncertainty due to the unpredictable nature of attacks and their variable impact on functionality. This uncertainty contributes to patients' fear of attacks, which in turn adversely affects their well-being and quality of life. However, the underlying mechanisms driving this fear remain insufficiently understood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships among fear of relapse, perfectionism, and intolerance of uncertainty in individuals with RRMS.

METHOD

This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 222 patients with RRMS. Participants completed the Frost Perfectionism Scale to assess maladaptive perfectionism, the Fear of Relapse Scale to measure fear of relapse, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale.

RESULTS

According to the study's findings, perfectionism was significantly associated with increased intolerance of uncertainty (β = 0.51, p < 0.001) and heightened fear of relapse (total effect β = 0.39, p < 0.001). Intolerance of uncertainty was also positively related to fear of relapse (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis further revealed that intolerance of uncertainty significantly mediated the relationship between perfectionism and fear of relapse, accounting for approximately 48% of the total effect (indirect effect β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.11, 0.26]).

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated that both perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty significantly influence the fear of relapse in RRMS patients. Therefore, intervention strategies designed to address maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies and high intolerance of uncertainty may help reduce fear of relapses and ultimately enhance the quality of life for individuals with MS.