| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to describe the relationships among common signs/symptoms (depression, fatigue, declines in cognitive function) in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) using a modified version of Braden's Self Help Theoretical Model and evaluate whether depression, fatigue, declines in cognitive function and uncertainty, enabling skills (self-control in this study) and self-management (coping in this study) influence quality of life outcomes in women with MS. MS is one of the most common causes of disability among young adults and is the most prevalent neurological disease among young and middle-aged adults in certain parts of the world. Although research had previously been undertaken with regards to the common symptoms of MS, uncertainty, enabling skills, self-management and quality of life, there had been no studies undertaken that involved all of them. This descriptive study was the first to explore relationships among common symptoms of MS, uncertainty, enabling skills, self-management and quality of life in an MS population using Braden's Learned Response Chronic Illness Self Help Model. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 106 participants. Measurement tools utilized in the study included: 1) Demographic and Illness Characteristics, 2) The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, 3) Perceived Deficits Questionnaire, 4) Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 5) Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale- Adult, 6) Rosenbaum's Self-Control Scale- Modified, 7) COPE Inventory-Brief, and 8) SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlations and linear regression to answer the specific aims. The study findings indicate that relationships exist among depression, fatigue, declines in cognitive function, uncertainty, enabling skills and self-management in women with MS. The study findings also indicate that depression, fatigue, declines in cognitive function, uncertainty, enabling skills and self-management influence quality of life outcomes in women with MS. Finally, while only a first study, the research findings indicate using a modified version of Braden's Learned Response Chronic Illness Self Help Model (LRCISHM) is appropriate in a population of women with MS. Future research involving women with MS who meet the inclusion criteria across the contiguous United States as well as male military veterans with MS is recommended. Research involving this modified version of Braden's LRCISHM as well as research incorporating disability levels is recommended. Research to develop interventions to improve quality of life outcomes and minimize distress is also recommended.
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