Social support as a predictor of perceived health status in patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: The main aim of this study was to investigate whether different levels of perceived social support are associated with different levels of perceived health status in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Methods: Two hundred and seven MS patients (38.4 +/- 10.6 years, 66.2% female) completed the Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) as the measure for perceived health status, and the perceived social support scale (PSSS) as the measure for social support. Functional disability was assessed using Kurtzke's expanded disability status scale (EDSS). The contribution of EDSS and PSSS for explaining the variance in SF-36 was investigated with multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: Demographic variables and EDSS explained 44% of the variance of the physical health summary scale in the SF-36. Demographic variables, EDSS and PSSS front family and friends explained 24% of the variance in mental health summary scale in the SF-36. Results varied according to the multiple linear regression analyses of predictors of variance in the eight dimensions of the SF-36.

Conclusion: PSSS from significant others was positively associated with general health dimension of perceived physical health status, while PSSS from family and friends was positively associated with perceived mental health status in MS patients.

Practice implications: The results show the importance of supporting social ties and relationships between MS patients and others. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.