Family Functioning and Multiple Sclerosis: Study Protocol of a Multicentric Italian Project

Marialaura Di Tella; Virginia Perutelli; Giuseppina Miele; Luigi Lavorgna; Simona Bonavita; Stefania Federica De Mercanti; Lidia Mislin Streito; Marinella Clerico; Lorys Castelli

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668010

Family Functioning and Multiple Sclerosis: Study Protocol of a Multicentric Italian Project

Front Psychol. 2021 Jun 9:12:668010. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668010. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Marialaura Di Tella¹, Virginia Perutelli², Giuseppina Miele³, Luigi Lavorgna³, Simona Bonavita³, Stefania Federica De Mercanti², Lidia Mislin Streito², Marinella Clerico², Lorys Castelli¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
² Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga, Turin, Italy.
³ Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, which not only affects physical functioning, but is also associated with cognitive impairments and great psychological distress. The combination of those symptoms may have negative consequences on the family functioning of patients with MS, with detrimental effects on both marital relationships and parental bonding. Furthermore, the presence of individual characteristics and of an adequate social support may also contribute to the quality and endurance of family relationships. Particularly, high levels of alexithymia, a personality trait that affects the recognition of a person's own emotions, have been associated with reduced interpersonal communication skills and enhanced anxiety/depressive symptoms. Therefore, the main aim of the present study is to provide an in-depth evaluation of family functioning and related factors in patients with MS and their families. In order to reach this goal, the perceived quality of family functioning, dyadic relationships, and parental bonding will be first investigated. Secondly, the possible associations between the quality of family relationships and the presence of alexithymia, psychological distress, and perceived social support will be examined. Patients with MS and their families who will consent to take part in the study will be asked to provide sociodemographic and clinical information, and to complete a series of questionnaires, presented and uploaded on an online dedicated platform. The final sample will be made up of 300 families, consecutively recruited from the Italian medical centers involved in the project. The results of the present study will shed light on the family functioning of patients with MS, through a comprehensive assessment of the main factors that are associated with family dynamics. A holistic evaluation of those aspects can help clinicians and researchers understand family dynamics in MS population better.

Keywords: alexithymia; dyadic relationships; family functioning; multiple sclerosis; parental bonding; perceived social support; psychological distress.