CORRELATES OF ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOR AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT IN PERSONS WITH THE PROGRESSIVE ILLNESS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (DEPRESSION, ANXIETY).
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 182
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Physiological.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.
Description: Bowlby's attachment theory was the framework for this descriptive study that examined the relationships among correlates of attachment behavior, demographic variables, and psychological adjustment to illness in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The correlates of attachment behavior, i.e., relational functioning, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were measured by the Personal Response Questionnaire-85, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck's Depression Inventory. Adjustment to illness was measured by the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale-SR (PAIS). Randomly combined questionnaire packets were personally distributed by the investigator. A convenience sample of 116 volunteers (32 males, 84 females) from the greater New York area completed the packets.

The findings were consistent with all six hypotheses. High relational functioning and high self-esteem were inversely related to the PAIS (p $<$.0005) while low state and low trait anxiety (p $<$.005), and low depression scores (p $<$.0005) were positively related to the PAIS. These findings suggest that having a supportive, available person decreased depression and anxiety, and increased feelings of self-esteem.

Recommendations for future research include: a comparison study with a randomized healthy sample, a longitudinal investigation of trait anxiety as a factor associated with MS, and a qualitative inquiry to assess the perceived experiences of persons with MS.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-05, Section: B, page: 2245.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1992.

School code: 0055.