Psychological profiles of patients with multiple sclerosis based on Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory

Abstract

Background The psychological perspective plays a crucial role in designing therapy for people suffering from multiple sclerosis. The aim of the article is to distinguish different psychological profiles of patients. Participants and procedure The study was conducted using the paper-and-pencil method on 77 patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. The theory we applied was Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory. We also analyzed the impact of personal and situational variables on the functioning of patients with different kinds of resources. Results Cluster analysis was used to construct the profiles of patients. Based on statistical analyses using the k-means method, we distinguished: Profile 1, with a prevalence of resource losses (n = 30), Profile 2, covering people who value their resources the most (n = 25), and Profile 3, with a prevalence of resource gains (n = 18). Conclusions The obtained psychological profiles reflect the varied dynamics of the patients’ functioning and should inspire an improvement of multidisciplinary rehabilitation.

Keywords

• resources
• multiple sclerosis
• psychological profiles