Quality of Life, Social, and Emotional Aspects of Being Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis: What's Grit got to do With it?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which grit influences the quality of life (QOL) in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Mixed-methods included a survey (n = 51) via Qualtrics utilizing the Grit Scale, Short Form-36 (SF-36), and general demographic questions and phenomenological interviews (n = 14). Quantitative data were analyzed using the SPSS25. Qualitative data were analyzed using whole-parts-whole analysis. The average grit score for participants diagnosed with MS was 3.8 ± 0.5. Moderate correlations existed between grit scores and emotional role limitations (r = .542, P < .001), emotional well-being (r = .542, P < .001), and social functioning (r = .448, P < .001). Common themes that emerged from the phase II interviews included (a) an initial shock or relief factor, (b) an identity shift, and (c) advocacy and victories. Higher levels of grit correlate with a better QOL.