Predicting rumination based on anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia with the mediating role of lifestyle in women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that destroys the myelin of the central nervous system, gradually impairing bodily functions and balance. This study aims to predict rumination based on anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia, with lifestyle acting as a mediating factor in women with MS. Methods: This correlational descriptive study employed a simple random sampling method to select 158 women with MS from the Iranian MS Patients Association in Tehran, Iran, in 2022. Participants completed the Ruminative Response Scale (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Reiss et al., 1986), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20, Bagby et al., 1994), and Laali et al. lifestyle questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient tests, hierarchical regression analysis in SPSS version 26, and path analysis in Lisrel version 10. Results: In women with MS, anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia showed a positive correlation with rumination, while lifestyle had a negative correlation with rumination (P < 0.001). Lifestyle played a mediating role in the relationship between anxiety sensitivity, alexithymia, and rumination (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia, through their influence on lifestyle, contribute to the rumination experienced by women with MS. To reduce rumination in this population, it is suggested that healthcare professionals specializing in MS should address anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia while promoting a healthy lifestyle among their patients.

Keywords

• anxiety sensitivity
• alexithymia
• lifestyle
• multiple sclerosis (ms)