“If You Can’t Control the Wind, Adjust Your Sail”: Tips for Post-Pandemic Benefit Finding from Young Adults Living with Multiple Sclerosis. A Qualitative Study

Silvia Poli, Michela Rimondini, Alberto Gajofatto, Maria Angela Mazzi, Isolde Martina Busch, Francesca Gobbin, Federico Schena, Lidia Del Piccolo and Valeria Donisi
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Silvia Poli: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Michela Rimondini: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Alberto Gajofatto: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Maria Angela Mazzi: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Isolde Martina Busch: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Francesca Gobbin: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Federico Schena: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Lidia Del Piccolo: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Valeria Donisi: Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the wellbeing of people worldwide, potentially increasing maladaptive psychological responses of vulnerable populations. Although young adults with multiple sclerosis (yawMS) might be at greater risk of developing psychological distress linked to the pandemic, they might also be able to adapt to stress and find meaning in adverse life events. The aim of the present study was to explore benefit finding in response to the pandemic in a sample of yawMS. As part of a larger project, data were collected using a cross-sectional, web-based survey. Benefit finding was analysed using a qualitative thematic approach; descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to describe the sample and compare sub-groups. Out of 247 respondents with mostly relapsing-remitting MS, 199 (31.9 ± 6.97 years) reported at least one benefit. Qualitative analysis showed that during the pandemic yawMS found benefits related to three themes: personal growth, relational growth, and existential growth. No differences in benefit finding were found between age sub-groups (18–30 vs. 31–45). Participants reported a wide range of benefits, some of which seem to be specific to MS or the pandemic. Results have been transformed into tips to be introduced in clinical practice to promote resilience in yawMS through meaning making.

Keywords: benefit finding; resilience; pandemic; COVID-19; multiple sclerosis; youth; qualitative approach; psychology; vulnerability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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