A - 79 Coping and Psychological Well-Being among Persons with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: the Role of Self-Efficacy.

Abstract

To explore self-efficacy as a possible mediator in the relationship between adaptive coping and psychological well-being (PWB) in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). 174 persons with RRMS (95% Female) completed an online survey consisting of psychosocial questionnaires. The COPE Inventory was used to create an adaptive coping composite that accounts for the relative contributions of both active and avoidant coping. Self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scales captured several domains of PWB: Positive relations with others, autonomy, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and personal growth. The SPSS PROCESS macro was used to test whether self-efficacy mediated the association between adaptive coping and each PWB subscale, using 5000 bootstrap samples to estimate confidence intervals. In each mediational model, adaptive coping significantly predicted each PWB subscale and self-efficacy (all p's ≤ 0.001). Self-efficacy significantly predicted each PWB subscale (p ≤ 0.001). After controlling for self-efficacy, the associations between adaptive coping and positive relations with others (indirect effect = 0.021, 95% CI [0.011, 0.033]) and autonomy (indirect effect = 0.019, 95% CI [0.011, 0.028]) became non-significant. The separate associations between adaptive coping and purpose in life (p = 0.004), self-acceptance (p = 0.026), and personal growth (p < 0.001) remained significant, despite controlling for self-efficacy. Self-efficacy fully mediated the relationships between adaptive coping and positive relations with others and autonomy in our sample of persons with RRMS. Interventions aimed at increasing adaptive coping skills and self-efficacy may improve relations with others and autonomy among persons with MS.