Social Support of Informal Caregivers of People with Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction. Support is defined as an action addressed to an individual or a group, which fosters overcoming difficult situations. It is a form of assistance consisting in mobilizing the strengths of the supported person for action, building self-confidence and triggering predispositions to overcome difficulties. With respect to the experience of caring for a chronically ill patient, social support can make a significant difference. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the social support of caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis. Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 107 caregivers. The study was conducted at the Department of Neurology with Cerebral Stroke Subdivision of the John Paul II Subcarpathian Regional Hospital in Krosno, the Department of Neurology and Cerebral Stroke and the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation with General Rehabilitation Subdivision of the L. Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Krakow and the Helpful Hand Foundation in Kraków. A diagnostic survey method using the Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS) and the Author’s Survey Questionnaire was used. Approval for the study was obtained from the Bioethics Committee No. 176/KBL/OIL/2018. Results. According to the Berlin Social Support Scale, there was a statistically significant difference p=0.0256 between the age of the respondents and the support currently provided. The results showed a statistically significant difference p=0.0067 between respondents’ marital status and support-seeking. Gender, place of residence education and income did not statistically significantly differentiate the social support of caregivers. Statistically significant differences were found between the duration of MS and the caregiver support currently provided and currently received, and between mental illness in the course of MS in patients and the buffering and protective support of caregivers. Conclusions. Social support is one of the resources for coping with difficult, stressful situations related to the course of the disease, which can be conditioned by various factors, including sociodemographic variables or the duration of the disease. (JNNN 2024;13(4):139–146)