PF02
The Relationship Between Anxiety and Illness Intrusiveness in Multiple Sclerosis

Thursday, May 25, 2017
B2 (New Orleans Convention Center)
Caroline Altaras, B.S. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Nicholas A Vissicchio, B.A. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Jennifer Miller, B.A. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Shonna Schneider, B.A. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Shaina Shagalow, B.A. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Amanda A Parker, B.S. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Frederick W Foley, Ph.D. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Caroline Altaras, B.S. , Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
PDF


Background:

Anxiety is common among individuals living with MS, with prevalence rates ranging from 19% to 57%. Anxiety in the MS population has been found to be associated with depression, pain, fatigue, stress, and lower self-­efficacy and quality of life. Anxious individuals are often preoccupied with concern over the future and prone to cognitive distortions, individuals with anxiety may be more prone to perceiving their illness as a burden. In support of this, recent research suggests that anxiety is associated with increased illness intrusiveness in MS. This study adds to literature by examining the impact of anxiety on three aspects of illness intrusiveness. 

Objectives: This study examined anxiety as a predictor of three constructs of illness intrusiveness; relationships and personal development, intimacy, and instrumental. 

Methods:

Data was collected from 138 MS patients who underwent full neuropsychological evaluation at the MS Center at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ. Anxiety was measured using the self­report measure, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Illness instrusivenss was measured using the llness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale (IIRS), a 13-­item, self­report instrument measuring relationships and personal development, intimacy, and instrumental intrusiveness. All of the measures have been well­-validated in the MS population. A multivariate general linear model was conducted using SPSS 24.0. Anxiety was entered as the predictor variables, and the three constructs of IIRS were entered as the outcome variables. 

Results:

When controlling for education, age, and years of education, there was a significant effect of anxiety on illness intrusiveness (Wilks' Lambda= .848 , F(3,131)=7.817, p<.001). Anxiety had a significant effect on IIRS relationship (F= 19.485, p<.001), intimacy (F= 10.807, p=.001), and instrumental (F= 19.706, p<.001). Anxiety accounted for approximately 18% of the variance in instrumental illness intrusiveness (R2= .18), 16% of the variance in relationship intrusiveness (R2= .162), and 8% of the variance in intimacy (R2= .084). 

Conclusions:

Anxiety was found to be related to MS patients' feelings of illness intrusiveness. Specifically, anxious MS patients on average scored higher on all constructs of illness intrusiveness.