Predict Psychological Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis Patients based on Hope and Self-actualization

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and debilitating disorder of the central nervous system, but the factor that worsens the conditions for these patients is that they experience a lot of psychological symptoms after the first diagnosis. This study aimed to predict psychological symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients based on hope and self-actualization. Methods: The present study was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of this study included all MS patients referring to Sina Hospital and Razavi Specialized Hospital, and also MS patients referring to Parsian Medical Complex in 2018. The sample size was calculated based on Morgan's and Krejcie table estimates 217 people (93 males and 124 females), and were selected by available sampling method. The research instrument In addition to the demographic questionnaire and was including three questionnaires of Beliefs Questionnaire self-actualization, Snyder's hope scale (1991), and Symptom Chek List – 25- Revised (SCL-25). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test and regression analysis using SPSS software version 25. Results: Findings showed that hope and self-efficacy variables could predict meaningful psychological symptoms and hope with beta -0.46 was stronger predictor than self-actualization with standard beta -0.28. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that hope and self-actualization as general protective factors can be effective in reducing the psychological symptoms in MS patients. It is suggested that health professionals, especially counselors and psychologists in the field of behavioral and cognitive, help to reduce the psychological symptoms of MS patients through appropriate interventions in the field of hope and self-actualization.