Investigating the relationship between social capital and coping with Multiple Sclerosis

Coping methods and social support play a role in adapting patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to the complications of the disease. This study was designed and conducted to determine the relationship between social capital and coping styles of MS patients.

The present study was descriptive-analytical. The study population was all patients with MS referred to Ahvaz MS Association. 40 people were selected as the research sample and available sampling method according to the inclusion characteristics. Data collection tools in this study were Onyx and Bullenchr('39')s social capital questionnaires and Lazarus and Folkmanchr('39')s coping strategies. After data collection, the data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and SPSS software version 22.

70% of the patients were female, 45% were housewives and 55% had lower diploma literacy. 50% of them reported their social capital as low. Patients used problem-oriented coping styles more than emotion-oriented ones. 45% of them used coping styles to a lesser extent. Based on the results of the correlation coefficient test, there was a positive and statistically a significant correlation between the two variables of social capital and problem-oriented coping strategies in the studied patients (P = 0.03), but between coping styles and its dimensions including Cognitive (P = 0.158), structural (P = 0.264) and communicative (P = 0.355), no statistically a significant correlation was found.

Because social capital has a positive and direct role in adapting to the problems caused by MS, it is necessary to work to increase the capital and social support of these patients and also to focus on the use and application of these funds by patients to cope with their problems.