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Evaluating the Role of Coping Style as a Moderator of Fatigue and Risk for Future Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2014

Dede M. Ukueberuwa  and
Peter A. Arnett
Dede M. Ukueberuwa*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Peter A. Arnett
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Dede M. Ukueberuwa, Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 372 Bruce V. Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802. E-mail: dedemu@psu.edu
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Abstract

Approximately 50% of persons with multiple sclerosis experience cognitive impairment, which adversely affects daily functioning. Although patients report that fatigue contributes to cognitive difficulties, previous empirical studies do not show a clear association. This study assessed coping style as a moderator of the relationship between fatigue and cognition in a 3-year longitudinal sample. Scores on the Fatigue Impact Scale and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) at baseline were modeled to predict later performance on a composite of cognitive tests to investigate the hypothesis that coping would have a significant moderating effect on fatigue in predicting cognitive performance. Findings partially supported hypotheses by showing that avoidant coping moderated the relationship between fatigue and cognitive performance. Patients who experienced relatively high fatigue performed better on cognitive tests if they used less avoidant coping. Those who reported lower fatigue had relatively good cognitive performance regardless of their coping style. This study provides evidence that coping style is associated with the ability to deal with stress, like fatigue, and their interaction can impact functional outcomes of disease. These results could benefit understanding of prognosis and improve treatment for patients with MS. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–5.)

Keywords

Nervous system diseaseCognitive symptomsPsychological factorsCoping skillsStressLongitudinal studies
Type
Brief Communication
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 7 , August 2014 , pp. 751 - 755
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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