The Relationship of Body Image with Emotion Regulation, Stress, and Aggression and their Comparison Between Males and Females With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of the central nervous system, which has a disabling nature. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of body image with emotion regulation, stress, and aggression and to compare them between males and females with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The current study was correlational with a casual-comparative design. The statistical population of this study included all MS patients referred to the MS society of Zahedan from November 2016 to January 2017. Among these individuals, 60 patients (30 males and 30 females) were selected using a convenience sampling method and were asked to fill out four questionnaires including the Cash, Winstead, and Janda body image questionnaire, Abell index of stress, self-regulation inventory (SRI-25), and buss and perry aggression questionnaire. Results: The obtained data was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, stepwise regression analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and t-test. Results of the correlation test indicated that body image was significantly and negatively correlated with stress (r = -0.259, P < 0.05) and aggression (r = -0.258, P < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was found between body image and emotion regulation (r = 0.156, P > 0.05). Results of the regression analysis demonstrated that body image was a predictor of stress and among its 6 subscales, appearance evaluation, body area satisfaction, and fitness orientation were able to determine 0.27 of variances in stress. Moreover, aggression was a predictor of body image, such that among its six subscales, fitness evaluation and body area satisfaction explained a total of 0.23 of variances in aggression. Results of the MANOVA and t-test revealed that considering body image, stress, emotion regulation, and aggression, there were significant differences between males and females with MS (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Given the obtained results, through training skills aimed at improving body image among MS patients, these patients could be aided to decrease their stress in the face of stressful events and, consequently, control their aggressive behaviors.