Affiliations: Yehuda Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam,
Israel | Department of Neurology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center,
Holon, Israel | M.S. Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer,
Israel
Abstract: Self esteem and body esteem were examined in a group of 35
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using the Body Esteem
Scale (BES) and the Eysenck Self Esteem Scale (ESES) and compared to age and
sex matched normal controls. There were 23 females and 12 males in the MS
patient's group; average age 38.9 years (range: 22-52). All participants
completed the self-rated BES evaluating the following subscales: females -
sexual attractiveness, physical condition and weight concern; males - physical
attractiveness, physical condition and upper body strength. In addition all
participants were scored, following a semi-structured interview, on the ESES.
Psychiatric co-morbidity was excluded using a semi-structured interview by the
consulting psychiatrist. All evaluations were carried out during the remitting
phase. Statistical analysis, comparing patients to healthy controls,
demonstrated lowered self-rating of the physical condition (males < 0.05,
females < 0.001). On the other hand, no significant differences were found
in the physical (male) or sexual (female)--attractiveness subscales. The mean
ESES score in the patients group was 23.2 ± 4.0, slightly above the
reported average. The controls mean ESES was 28.4 ± 3.6, (P < 0.05).
No correlation was found between self and body esteem amongst M.S. patients.
This study emphasizes impaired perception of body esteem in multiple sclerosis
patients even in remission. The preservation of physical and sexual
attractiveness may be related to the non-disfiguring nature of the disease.
Preservation of self-esteem in MS patients suggests that body-esteem should be
the focus of supportive treatment.
