THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REALITY THERAPY ON ANXIETY SENSITIVITY AND COPING STRATEGIES IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Reality therapy states that human beings always behave in such a way as to control the world and themselves to satisfy their needs, and this style of control can play a role in causing psychological problems, but human beings can accept responsibility for their behaviors and have more satisfaction in life. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of reality therapy on anxiety sensitivity and coping strategies in patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

The quasi-experimental research design is pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population included women with MS who referred to the MS Association of Urmia in 1398, from which a sample of 30 people were selected by available sampling method and randomly divided into two groups. 15 people were replaced. For the experimental group, reality therapy was presented in 8 sessions of 1.5 hours, while the control group did not receive training. Research tools include Reese and Peterson Anxiety Sensitivity Scale, (1985). Andler and Parker Coping Strategies Questionnaire, (1990). Was. In order to analyze the data, univariate analysis of covariance was used at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that reality therapy can make significant changes in anxiety sensitivity (p <0.05) and coping strategies (p <0.05) so that the experimental group than the control group more than problem-oriented coping style. And used fewer emotion-coping and avoidance coping styles.

Findings of this study provide useful information about reality therapy, anxiety sensitivity and coping strategies and how to change and improve them. Counselors and psychologists can use reality therapy to reduce anxiety sensitivity and improve coping strategies in patients with MS.