The mediator role of psychological and social well-being in the relationship between stigma and life satisfaction in multiple sclerosis patients

This study aims to examine the mediating role of psychological and social well-being in the relationship between anticipated stigma and life satisfaction in MS patients. The study was designed based on a causal relational research model. The study sample consisted of 495 individuals with Multiple Sclerosis who were selected by a convenience sampling technique and voluntarily agreed to participate at the age of 18 and over. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, The Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale, Social Well-Being Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and PROCESS Macro (Model 4). In the research model, anticipated stigma in MS patients was the independent variable (X), life satisfaction was the dependent variable (Y), psychological well-being (M1), and social well-being (M2) were mediating variables. According to the results of the analysis, the effects of anticipated stigma on psychological well-being and social well-being in MS patients were examined. According to the findings, anticipated stigma had a significant and negative effect on both psychological well-being (B=-.376, p<.001) and social well-being (B=.518, p<.001) in MS patients. Moreover, the total effect of anticipated stigma on life satisfaction was significant and negative (B=-.2217, β=-.4375, p<.001). Regarding indirect effects, the direct effect of anticipated stigma on life satisfaction decreased but remained significant (B=-.0838, β=-.1653, p<.001). These results suggest that psychological and social well-being partially mediate the relationship between anticipated stigma and life satisfaction. In this context, it is thought that practices aimed at increasing awareness of MS disease will increase the level of psychological and social well-being of individuals and contribute positively to their lives. In addition, it is thought that increasing the number of studies addressing stigma in MS patients and longitudinal studies will contribute to a better understanding of the causal relationships between variables. Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis, anticipated stigma, psychological well-being, social well-being, life satisfaction