Multiple sclerosis: the relationship among self-esteem, social support, and coping behavior.

This study examines the relationship of self-esteem and social support to problem-focused coping behavior of 101 individuals with multiple sclerosis, a chronic progressive disease. Results included a significant relationship between self-esteem and problem-focused coping; a nonsignificant relationship between social support and problem-focused coping; and that self-esteem and social support taken together did not contribute significantly to problem-focused coping. Although the most frequently used coping strategies employed were problem focused, subjects did use combinations of problem- and emotion-focused strategies to deal with stressful encounters. The findings highlight the importance of assessing self-esteem, social support, and coping behavior of persons afflicted with multiple sclerosis and thus with the ever present potential for physical deterioration.