Influence of Social Support and Personal Barriers on Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The model of functioning and disability is a multi-dimensional model that includes interrelated factors such as body functions and structures, activities, participation, environmental factors, and personal factors. All these components are hypothesized to influence health conditions and quality of life (WHO, 2001). This conceptual model, however, has rarely been applied to examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) behavior and health-related quality of life (HQOL) in persons with disabilities. PURPOSE: To determine the role of PA behavior and its behavioral antecedents on HQOL in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: 77 participants with MS (12 males & 65 females, 47.66±10.37 yrs, & BMI 28.15±6.55) completed previously validated questionnaires measuring PA (PASIPD), HQOL (MS QOL-54; mental health only), self-efficacy (Marcus et al., 1992), social support (Sallis et al., 1987), and PA barriers (Zhu et al., 2001). Descriptive and path analysis were conducted using SPSS17 and AMOS16, respectively. RESULTS: The initial model included (1) a direct path from PA to HQOL and (2) indirect path from environmental factors (environmental PA barriers; BAen & social support) and personal factors (self-efficacy & personal PA barriers; BApsn) to HQOL through PA. Even though the model was well-fit (chi-square(4)=5.07 with p=.28, NFI=.96, CFI=.99, & RMSEA=.06), BAen and self-efficacy were not statistically significant (BAen=.19 with p=.33 & SE= -.049 with p=.65). Therefore, BAen and self-efficacy were excluded from the model and social support and BApsn represented the environmental and personal factors. The model fit was slightly decreased but sill acceptable (chi-square(2) =3.86 with p=.15, NFI=.90, CFI=.94, & RMSEA=.08). All variables were statistically significant with p<.05. Standardized path coefficient (beta) of social support and BApsn to PA were.33 and -.37, respectively, and it accounted for 33% of the variance in PA. PA (beta=.28) accounted for 8% of variance in HQOL. CONCLUSION: For individuals with MS, social support and BApsn are critical factors in PA participation and factors that indirectly affect on HQOL through PA. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by College of Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University.