The Study of Psychological Mechanisms of Formation of Dysfunctional Ways of Family Response to the Disease in Families of Adolescents with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: according to domestic and foreign studies, the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing, with pediatric MS accounting for 2 to 6% of all cases. Due to the peculiarities of the clinical picture of the disease and its consequences, social and psychological aspects, including child-parent relations, are particularly important for the rehabilitation of children and adolescents with MS.

The aim was to study the features of child-parent relations in the families of adolescents with MS.

Patients and Methods: 128 people (64 adolescents and 64 their mothers) participated in the study, according to the principle of homogeneity of demographic and social indicators 2 groups were formed. Experimental group made up families of adolescents with MS; control group (СG) included families of healthy adolescents. The study used the clinical and anamnestic method; structured interview; Analysis of family anxiety (AST); Scale of family adaptation and cohesion (FACES-3); The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); The Parental Attitude Test Questionnaire; statistical analysis of the results using the SPSS 23 program.

Results: families of adolescents with MS are in a state of crisis caused by the detection of a neurological disease and a complex stage of age-related personality changes in the child (adolescent crisis). The combined effects of these factors, in combination with the depressed emotional state of mother, provoke the launch of regressive methods of child-parent interaction and have a destabilizing effect on the family system.

Conclusion: the data obtained reveal the expediency of developing differentiated psychological support programs for parents and adolescents with MS, aimed at improving their emotional state and harmonizing family relations. Taking into account the identified features of families of adolescents with MS, possible targets of psychological assistance have been identified.

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