Prediction of Psychological Well-Being based on Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation Strategies among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Shiraz within 2018-19

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord functions, with mild to severe physical, visual, cognitive, and emotional responses. The present research aimed to predict psychological well-being based on mindfulness and emotion regulation strategies among patients with MS.

In this correlational study, 80 patients with MS were selected by the random sampling method in the academic year of 2018-19 in Shiraz, Iran. To collect the necessary data, three questionnaires were used as the tools of study, namely the Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). The gathered data were analyzed in AMOS software (version 23) using the multivariable kurtosis coefficient of Mardia.

The results of this research implied that there was a significant relationship among the FFMQ dimensions (i.e., observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experience) and the ERQ dimensions (reappraisal and suppression) with the SPWB dimensions (i.e., personal growth, self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, life satisfaction, spirituality, and pleasure and optimism) (P<0.05).

It was concluded that training mindfulness and emotion regulation strategies are applicable for patients with MS to improve their psychological well-being components in their lives. Future researchers are recommended to consider other patient groups with other diseases. It is suggested to apply the experimental research designs to promote psychological well-being.