Psychosocial adjustment to multiple sclerosis: Implications for rehabilitation professionals

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world, and it has a potentially devastating impact on people's psychological and social functioning. Foremost among the factors that make MS a difficult condition with which to cope are the range and severity of symptoms, the capricious disease process, and the psychological uncertainty that accompanies such an unpredictable illness. In this article, the authors construct a Five Factor Model of Psychosocial Adjustment for people with MS that is predicated on (a) enhancing personal resilience and active coping skills and (b) increasing utilization of social supports. The Five-Factor Model includes the following determinants of psychosocial adjustment to MS: (a) range and severity of illness-related symptoms, (b) uncertainty of the disease process, (c) sense of loss associated with functional limitations, (d) personal resilience and adaptability, and (e) social supports.