Peer support needs and engagement among people with multiple sclerosis: Associations with social support, loneliness and wellbeing: A cross-sectional study

Peer support may improve wellbeing in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). This study examined associations between peer support, social support, loneliness and wellbeing in PwMS, along with sociodemographic and health predictors of peer support need and engagement in online and in-person contexts. A cross-sectional survey, co-designed with public and patient involvement, was deployed among 218 PwMS in Ireland, with regression analyses used to explore predictors of needs for, and engagement with, peer support. Increasing disability levels and fewer years with MS were associated with higher peer support need. Wellbeing was significantly yet weakly positively correlated with in-person peer support engagement (<i>r</i>_s = 0.1967, <i>p</i> = 0.005). However, only loneliness and social support were significant predictors of wellbeing, accounting for approximately 40% of the variance. Overall, PwMS need peer support, yet reported low engagement with peers. While no clear associations with wellbeing were established, findings suggest that peer support may improve psychosocial experiences in MS.