Introduction: Since the psychological factors are very effective in incidence and severity of chronic disease such as Multiple sclerosis, this study intended to compare stress, coping strategies, type C and type D personality in MS patients and normal individuals
Methods: The research method was post facto or cause and effect. The population included all normal and MS patients who referred to neurologist in Lorestan province during the summer and fall in 2014. 150 subjects (75 normal subjects and 75 patients) were selected from the population by convenience sampling. Then they completed the type C and type D personality questionnaire, coping style questionnaire and stress questionnaire (their life events and changes). Data were analyzed by using the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA).
Results: The results showed that among terms stress, avoiding and management solving strategy, the total score of type C personality and social inhibition of type D personality was significantly different between the two groups. The patient group had higher scores in all indices except for management solving strategy.
Discussion & Conclusion: The findings indicated that stress as a major factor in intensifying the symptoms of MS and also personality traits and coping strategies as modifying factors of stress and disease, have an important role in multiple sclerosis. People with type C and type D personality are susceptible to physical illness. Researchers consider these two types of personality as one of the pathological factors which may affect health and longevity and require psychological treatment.