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The psychological impact of motor neurone disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

K. E. Hogg ,
L. H. Goldstein  and
P. N. Leigh
K. E. Hogg
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, London
L. H. Goldstein*
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, London
P. N. Leigh
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Laura H. Goldstein, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
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Synopsis

Self-report measures were completed by 59 individuals with motor neurone disease (MND) in order to assess whether: (a) MND affects patients' psychological well-being and quality of life; (b) if greater affective disorder is associated with greater physical disability; (c) whether accepting the illness and ways of coping have an impact on psychological distress, and (d) if beliefs over control of their health shift as the disease progresses. Results indicated that the effects of MND on everyday functioning accounted for incidence of depression and low self-esteem. Acceptance of illness was related to severity of symptoms and was a significant factor irrespective of level of physical symptomatology. Ways of coping with the illness did not relate in any significant way to severity of symptoms. Mild physical impairments were associated with an ‘internal’ view of control over health.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , August 1994 , pp. 625 - 632
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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