A Profile of Support Group Use and Need Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis |
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Authors: | Marcia L Finlayson Chi C Cho |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Occupational Therapy , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois, USA marciaf@uic.edu;3. School of Public Health , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, Illinois, USA |
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Abstract: | This study compared middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS, N = 1,275) according to their use of support groups and identified factors associated with perceived need. Over 64.6% (n = 824) of participants had attended a MS support group meeting at least once. Individuals who had never attended a group were more likely to reside in urban or suburban communities, report lower symptom interference, and fewer activity limitations. Women, individuals without a helper, and people with greater symptom interference were more likely to perceive a need for a support group. Findings raise questions for professionals involved in developing and implementing multiple sclerosis support groups. |
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Keywords: | self-help group social support coping chronic disease self-management |
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