Qualitative Analysis of Psychological Factors Affecting the Delay in Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological factors affecting the delay in progress of multiple sclerosis. The present study was a qualitative research with content analysis approach. The statistical population of this study was all secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients referred to MS clinic in Sina Hospital and they had been enter to progressive phase with delay. Sampling was initially purposeful and then continued theoretically and the final sample reached thirteen individuals after theoretical saturation. Structured interviews and semi structured interviews with open-ended questions were selected as the data collection method. Data were analyzed through coding the interviews and qualitative content analysis. The analysis of the data led to the production of the main themes of Assistance Mechanisms that it consisted of three main categories of Effective Coping Style, Perceived Social Support, and Hardiness and Resilience, and seven subcategories derived from these main categories. The findings of this study showed that some psychological factors in the course of multiple sclerosis can play a protective and auxiliary role for affected persons and delay the inevitable entry into the secondary progressive phase, reduce the rate of disease progression, and prevent recurrent attacks.