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Resilience in Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Review article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Esfahan, Iran.

2 M.A. Student in Gender Studies, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Esfahan, Iran.

10.30473/hpj.2025.70392.5999

Abstract

Objective: Resilience in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) is generally at a low level. Recent years have witnessed increased attention to enhancing resilience as a complementary therapeutic approach, attracting numerous research studies. However, the lack of a comprehensive review and summarization of this research gap necessitated the current study, which aims to investigate factors influencing the resilience of women with MS. Method: This systematic review and systematic search were conducted between October and November 2023. All relevant articles related to the resilience of Iranian women with MS in the past decade were searched in six Persian databases using keywords such as resilience, women, MS, and multiple sclerosis. Following entry and exit criteria, 18 relevant articles were included in the research. Results: The geographical distribution of studies covered 9 provinces, with a concentration of research in 1399 and 1401, indicating the recent importance of the resilience topic. The predominant research method was quasi-experimental, while qualitative and in-depth studies received less attention. Through the analysis of articles, resilience factors were categorized into seven groups, including mind control strategies, acceptance and compassion, mental well-being, meaning therapy, Pilates exercise, spiritual therapy, and forgiveness. The strategies for mind control include cognitive-behavioral therapies, cognitive therapies, and mindfulness. The focus of these approaches is to manage negative thoughts related to the illness and foster a positive outlook. Acceptance and compassion involve accepting and committing, showing compassion to oneself, and integrating acceptance with compassion. This approach is centered on the individual's inner world, emphasizing self-awareness, self-acceptance, and kindness towards oneself.Psychological well-being encompasses positive psychology interventions, cognitive-behavioral stress management, and stress control skill development. This approach concentrates on enhancing resilience in the psychological dimension of the illness. Meaning-centered therapy involves creating interventions for life meaning. It addresses the sense of emptiness post-illness, employing methods to bring meaning into the individual's life.Pilates exercise contributes to the improvement of both physical and mental well-being in patients. Group spiritual therapy aims to establish purpose and meaning in life, fostering a sense of the divine presence in the individual's life. Forgiveness includes strategies for dealing with challenges and illness-related problems and improving social interactions. The positive impact of resilience includes improved quality of life, adaptability, patience, tolerance, and sometimes reduction in the severity of the disease. Conclusion: It is suggested that, due to the lack of research on resilience in patients in the growing Iranian society, future studies should employ diverse qualitative methods and various item analyses. One limitation of this study is the examination of resilience in women with MS. It is recommended to investigate resilience in men as well.

Keywords

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References
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Health Psychology
Volume 13, Issue 52
March 2025
Pages 125-138
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