Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2016
Description
Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), and are frequently exacerbated by pain; however, spiritual well-being may allow persons with MS to more effectively cope with pain-related deficits in physical and role functioning. We explored the associations between spiritual well-being, pain interference and depressive symptoms, assessing each as a potential mediator, in eighty-one patients being treated for MS, who completed self-report measures: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Pain Effects Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised. At the bivariate level, spiritual well-being and its subscale of meaning and peace were negatively associated with depression and pain interference. In mediation models, depression was not related to pain interference via spiritual well-being, or to spiritual well-being via pain interference. Pain interference was related to depression via spiritual well-being and meaning/peace, and to spiritual well-being and meaning/peace via depressive symptoms. Finally, spiritual well-being and meaning/peace were related to depression via pain interference, and to pain interference via depressive symptoms. For patients with MS, a multi-faceted approach to treatment that includes pain reduction and promotion of spiritual well-being may be beneficial, although amelioration of depression remains a critical task.
Posted Versions
Post-Print
Citation Information
Nsamenang, Sheri A.; Hirsch, Jameson K.; Topciu, Raluca; Goodman, Andrew D.; and Duberstein, Paul R.. 2016. The Interrelations Between Spiritual Well-Being, Pain Interference and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Vol.39(2). 355-363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9712-3 ISSN: 1573-3521
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Public Health Commons
Copyright Statement
This document is an author manuscript from PMC. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-016-9712-3