Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Lara Bardoneschi | Email: larambard@gmail.com
Lara Bardoneschi1°2°, Maria Sol Roman1°2°, Juan Iglesias Passada2°, Florencia Daniele, Matias Herrera Fernandez2°, Marcelo Medina3°, Maria Laura Saladino2°, Fernando Caceres2°, Sandra Vanotti2°
1° INERE. Instituto de Neurociencias Restaurativas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2° Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de investigaciones en Psicología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
3° Clínica Delta, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Introduction: Given the impact of a chronic condition that can lead to cognitive impairments, the effectiveness of coping strategies adopted by people with MS (PwMS) can be crucial for their adjustment process. Objective: To explore relationships between coping responses and cognition in PwMS. Method: 80 PwMS (78% women; 86% relapsing-remitting, 16% progressive) were included, mean age: 43.81±9.64, education: 14.73±2.98, and years of disease duration: 11.1±8.46. Cognitive assessment: Processing speed: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); Verbal memory: California Verbal Learning Test-I (CVLT-I); Visuospatial memory: Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Coping responses were assessed with Coping Response Inventory-Adult (CRI-A) and categorized as problem-focused or emotion-focused, both cognitive and behavioral. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlations were conducted. Results: Better verbal memory and processing speed were correlated with problem-focused coping strategies, both cognitive (verbal memory r=0.499, p<0.001; processing speed r=0.265, p=0.017) and behavioral (verbal memory r=0.450, p<0.001; processing speed r=0.273, p=0.014). Conversely, lower verbal memory is associated with cognitive emotion-focused coping strategies (r=-0.304, p=0.006). Conclusions: PwMS with better-preserved verbal memory and processing speed tend to adopt cognitive problem-focused coping strategies, indicating a more active approach to challenges.