The Role of Self-Compassion on Self-Care With the Mediating Role of Illness Perception in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Referred to Sina Hospital: Based on the Leventhal Model.

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder associated with diverse physical and psychological challenges. Effective self-care behaviors are essential for managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Psychological constructs such as self-compassion and illness perception are key determinants of self-management in chronic illness.

Objective: This study investigated the role of self-compassion in promoting self-care behaviors among patients with MS, emphasizing the mediating role of illness perception based on Leventhal's Common-Sense Model.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 360 patients with MS referred to Sina Hospital, Tehran. Participants completed the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (Version 4.c), Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine direct and indirect relationships between self-compassion, illness perception dimensions, and self-care behaviors. Model fit was evaluated using χ²/df = 2.52, CFI = 0.843, TLI = 0.825, RMSEA = 0.065, and SRMR = 0.084.

Results: Self-compassion had a significant positive direct effect on self-care (β = 0.30, p = 0.006). Indirect effects were also found through personal control (β = 0.15, p = 0.004), emotional representation (β = 0.22, p = 0.011), and illness coherence (β = 0.15, p = 0.030). Other illness perception dimensions, including treatment control and timeline beliefs, did not show significant mediation effects (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Self-compassion promotes self-care behaviors in MS patients both directly and indirectly by enhancing adaptive illness perceptions-particularly personal control, illness coherence, and emotional balance. Interventions aimed at fostering self-compassion and reframing maladaptive illness perceptions may strengthen disease self-management and psychological well-being.