Julia M Balto1, Lara A Pilutti1, Robert W Motl1. 1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Seth N Levin; Shruthi Venkatesh; Katie E Nelson; Yi Li; Ines Aguerre; Wen Zhu; Karman Masown; Kathryn T Rimmer; Claudiu I Diaconu; Kaho B Onomichi; Victoria M Leavitt; Libby L Levine; Rebecca Strauss-Farber; Wendy S Vargas; Brenda Banwell; Amit Bar-Or; Joseph R Berger; Andrew D Goodman; Erin E Longbrake; Jiwon Oh; Bianca Weinstock-Guttman; Kiran T Thakur; Keith R Edwards; Claire S Riley; Zongqi Xia; Philip L De Jager Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2021-02-22 Impact factor: 5.430