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The effect of social support on the emotional well-being of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Exploring the mediating role of spirituality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2024

Anne Fernandez Open the ORCID record for Anne Fernandez [Opens in a new window] ,
Léo Guenegou ,
Philippe Corcia  and
Nathalie Bailly
Anne Fernandez*
Affiliation:
Centre de Coordination des Centres de Référence Maladies Rares (CRMR) SLA, CHRU de Tours, France
Léo Guenegou
Affiliation:
Laboratoire EA 2114 PAVeA (Psychologie des Ages de la Vie et Adaptation), Département de Psychologie, Université de Tours, France
Philippe Corcia
Affiliation:
Centre de Coordination des Centres de Référence Maladies Rares (CRMR) SLA, CHRU de Tours, INSERM U1253, France
Nathalie Bailly
Affiliation:
Laboratoire EA 2114 PAVeA (Psychologie des Ages de la Vie et Adaptation), Département de Psychologie, Université de Tours, France
*
Corresponding author: Anne Fernandez; Email: a.fernandez@chu-tours.fr
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Abstract

Objectives

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that, so far, is considered always fatal. Treatments mainly consist in increasing survival and aim to improve the quality of life of people with ALS (pwALS). Social support and spirituality have been shown to play a key role in pwALS’ quality of life. Our study explored it in depth by investigating the underlying mechanisms linking social support, spirituality, and emotional well-being.

Methods

Thirty-six pwALS underwent a battery of tests evaluating emotional well-being (emotional well-being scale of the 40-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire), social support (6-item Social Support Questionnaire), and spiritual well-being (12-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Spiritual well-being). Our recruitment was web-based through the FILSLAN and the ARSLA websites as well as through Facebook® advertisements (ALS groups). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis and Process macro was used in an SPSS program to analyze the mediator variable effect.

Results

Availability of social support, spiritual well-being, and 2 of its dimensions, i.e., meaning and peace, were positively correlated with emotional well-being. The mediational analyses showed that spiritual well-being, meaning, and peace act as mediators in the association between availability of social support and good emotional well-being.

Significance of results

Availability of social support and spirituality are essential for the emotional well-being of pwALS. Spirituality as a mediator between availability of social support and emotional well-being appears as real novel finding which could be explored further. Spiritual well-being, meaning, and peace appear as coping resources for pwALS. We provide practical guidance for professionals working with pwALS.

Keywords

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)mediating role of spiritualityavailability of social supportemotional well-beingpsychological research
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 6 , December 2024 , pp. 1932 - 1939
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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