Okres życia a znaczenie nadawane chorobie (na przykładzie badań chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane)

The main aim of the study was to analyse the cross-reference between individualised means of experiencing a disease (assessment of its significance), as determined by the level of disability and selected psychosocial factors, and the period of life of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The following were used in the study: Disease-Related Appraisals Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale EDSS and the original questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics. The study showed that patients with a chronic disease show a statistically significant differentiation in terms of the meaning attributed to disease as the benefit and obstacle. Moreover, the age of the patients under study also shows differentiation with respect to the significance of particular factors for the means of experiencing the disease (assessment of its significance). The findings obtained in the course of the present study indicate the importance of unique and typical determinants of functioning of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, as well as point to the significance of the factor of age which should be taken into account in the work of interdisciplinary teams providing care to this population of patients.