Psychologiczne korelaty wdzięczności u osób chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane

Małgorzata Szcześniak , Joanna Król , Dorota Koziarska , Teresa Rzepa , Andrzej Potemkowski , Przemysław Nowacki

Abstract

Objectives: Verification of the level of gratitude in patients with multiple sclerosis against healthy individuals; assessment of the relationship between gratitude and positive orientation as well as selfesteem. Methods: Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6, McCullough, Emmons, Tsang; Polish adaptation by Kossakowska, Kwiatek); Positivity Scale (P-Scale, Caprara et al., Polish adaptation by Łaguna, Oleś, Filipiuk); Rosenberg self-esteem scale SES (Polish adaptation by Dzwonkowska, Lachowicz-Tabaczek, Łaguna); Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the original interview regarding sociodemographic data of the participants and subjective assessment of their functioning and received support. Results: The research found no significant differences between healthy individuals and MS patients in terms of gratitude and self-esteem. MS patients showed higher level of positive orientation in comparison with healthy individuals. Gratitude shows strong positive correlation with positive orientation and self-esteem. The level of gratitude increases when MS patients notice and appreciate the positive aspects of life, personal experience and themselves. Conclusions: Therapeutic actions oriented towards noticing the positive aspects of life can facilitate reevaluation of negative experience related to MS. It is important to develop interpersonal skills and resources for coping with disease-related stressors.