Volume 24, Issue 1 (9-2026)
RBS 2026, 24(1): 150-151 |
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Koufigar N, Keshavarz Afshar H, Jahanbakhshi Z, Hejazi E. Examining the Lived Experience of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Qualitative Study. RBS 2026; 24 (1) :150-151
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2197-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2197-en.html
1- Counselling, PhD Student, kish International Campus, University of Tehran
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. ,keshavarz1979@ut.ac.ir
3- Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Professor
2- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. ,
3- Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
4- Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Professor
Abstract: (36 Views)
Aim and Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurological disease that constitutes a profound psychosocial experience for individuals living with it and is accompanied by a wide range of physical, cognitive, and psychological challenges. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of patients with multiple sclerosis in Isfahan.
Methods and Materials: The research design was qualitative and based on a phenomenological approach. Participants consisted of individuals diagnosed with MS who were selected through purposive sampling until data saturation was reached (14 participants). Semi‑structured interviews were used for data collection, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method.
Findings: Based on the interview findings, patients’ challenges and needs were organized into 399 initial concepts, 3 core themes (adaptation process, connection with self and others, and contextual conditions of adaptation), 14 main themes (emotional collapse, transition through loss, erosion of physical–psychological functioning, identity and role conflicts, emotional reactions to crisis, increased awareness of symptoms, self‑management strategies, receiving external support, social disconnection, need for acceptance and belonging, self‑compassion, sources of strength, disease‑related barriers, and treatment‑related barriers), and 48 subthemes.
Conclusions: The lived experience of individuals with MS revealed that the illness is a multilayered and complex process characterized by emotional breakdown, identity grief, physical–psychological fluctuations, role conflicts, and feelings of loneliness. These experiences reflect patients’ needs for emotional support, reduced social stigma, strengthened self‑compassion, and adaptive coping strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of attending to the psychological dimensions of MS and underscore the necessity of designing emotion‑focused and culturally sensitive interventions
Methods and Materials: The research design was qualitative and based on a phenomenological approach. Participants consisted of individuals diagnosed with MS who were selected through purposive sampling until data saturation was reached (14 participants). Semi‑structured interviews were used for data collection, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method.
Findings: Based on the interview findings, patients’ challenges and needs were organized into 399 initial concepts, 3 core themes (adaptation process, connection with self and others, and contextual conditions of adaptation), 14 main themes (emotional collapse, transition through loss, erosion of physical–psychological functioning, identity and role conflicts, emotional reactions to crisis, increased awareness of symptoms, self‑management strategies, receiving external support, social disconnection, need for acceptance and belonging, self‑compassion, sources of strength, disease‑related barriers, and treatment‑related barriers), and 48 subthemes.
Conclusions: The lived experience of individuals with MS revealed that the illness is a multilayered and complex process characterized by emotional breakdown, identity grief, physical–psychological fluctuations, role conflicts, and feelings of loneliness. These experiences reflect patients’ needs for emotional support, reduced social stigma, strengthened self‑compassion, and adaptive coping strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of attending to the psychological dimensions of MS and underscore the necessity of designing emotion‑focused and culturally sensitive interventions
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/21 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/1
Received: 2026/09/21 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/1
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