Psychosocial impact of illness intrusiveness moderated by age in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract
Data from two samples were pooled to test the hypothesis that age and illness intrusiveness (illness-induced disruptions to lifestyles, activities, and interests) interact to influence psychological well-being and emotional distress in multiple sclerosis (MS). Respondents (n = 774 MS outpatients) completed the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) and Affect Balance Scales (ABS) in a standardized interview. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses, controlling for severity of MS and for recent stressful life events, indicated that the Age × Illness Intrusiveness interaction was statistically significant for both ABS and CES-D scores. The form of the interaction was consistent across measures: increasing illness intrusiveness was associated with a more markedly deleterious psychosocial impact (i.e. decreasing psychological well-being and increasing emotional distress) among young as compared to older individuals. Considered in the context of research in other chronic conditions, these results support the claims that illness intrusiveness is a common underlying determinant of the psychosocial impact of chronic disease and that a lifespan-developmental perspective usefully informs our understanding of such issues.