Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Individuals who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience extreme distress. Adult attachment has been shown to predict negative adjustment in other chronically ill populations such as chronic pain and cancer; however, it has been overlooked in the MS research. Adult attachment, based on research examining infant attachment to their caregivers, suggests that signs of threat activate expectations and preferences about seeking proximity to and receiving help from close others. Secure attachment is when individuals have positive beliefs about themselves and others (they believe that whether they ask for help or not, they can rely on close others). Individuals who are insecurely attached have negative beliefs about the self (they believe that others will only help if they are constantly signaling distress) and/or negative beliefs about others (they believe that others can never be relied on in times of need). The present study will examine insecure attachment, symptom experience, and coping strategies in MS patients. We predict that negative beliefs about the self will be associated with greater symptom disturbance and excessive social coping; whereas negative beliefs about others will be associated with dismissal of symptoms and independent coping strategies such as avoidance and rumination. The results of this study will suggest how an interpersonal disposition, such as adult attachment, affects the experience of symptoms and subsequent coping strategies. This study will also suggest potential interventions for MS patients by targeting the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with insecure attachment that result in distress.