Study on the amount of coping skills used by MS sufferers as member and non-member of peer support group

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common illness causing neurological inabilities in young adults. The ability of the ill person to use coping skills is an important factor that could help reduce stress and manage the increasing challenges caused by this debilitating illness. The present study focused on comparing the amount of coping skills used by MS sufferers, who were or were not members of a peer support group. Methods: The method of the study was descriptive-analytical. The study was conducted at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Zanjan City during year 2016. Simple random sampling without replacement was conducted on 30 MS sufferers, who were members and 90, who were not members of the peer support group. The data gathering tool included a demographic questionnaire and Jalowiec coping skills questionnaire. Fisher's exact test and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Comparison of the amounts of coping skills used by member and non-member patients in the peer support group revealed that they differed insignificantly (0.735) in terms of excitementoriented skills, and significantly in terms of problem-oriented coping skills. Furthermore, the member patients used more problem-oriented coping skills than the non-member patients (0.009). Conclusions: Peer support has an increasing effect on the use of problem-oriented coping skills. Thus, it will be helpful to encourage patients to become a member of the peer support group.