Prevalence and Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Body image dissatisfaction (BID), a discrepancy between a person’s ideal body and their perceived body, is a strong predictor of undesirable outcomes such as disordered eating behaviors, depression, and low self-esteem. Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be more likely to experience BID due to physical changes to mobility and functioning and high rates of depression; however, very little research has explored BID in patients with MS. Identifying factors that predict BID in individuals with MS would provide valuable information to providers when screening for individuals likely to experience BID and its possible negative outcomes.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are 1) to examine levels of BID in patients with MS, compared with community norms; 2) to explore factors that predict BID in patients with MS; and 3) and to gain valuable information for screening and future treatment development.

Methods: The sample will include 150 patients diagnosed with MS who completed the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) after signing an informed consent document during scheduled medical or behavioral health appointments. Additional demographic variables will be collected from medical charts including gender, age, race/ethnicity, length of diagnosis, symptom severity, classification of MS, depressive symptoms, and body mass index.

Results: Pending during data collection. Statistics will include a one-sample t-test and a hierarchical linear regression, following screening for missing data, outliers, and violations to the assumptions of multiple regression.

Conclusions: Pending during data collection.