International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Mediating Role of Acceptance in the Relationship between Existential Fulfillment and Resilient Coping among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra-Sadat Modaresi 1
Yasser Rezapour-Mirsaleh 2
Azadeh Choobforoushzadeh 3
1 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
2 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2025.491770.2175
Abstract
Introduction: Self-acceptance (approving one's self) potentially influenced by existential fulfillment (self-acceptance, self-actualization, and self-transcendence, which individuals pursue a purposeful life) may be linked to resilient coping (the cognitive and behavioral efforts individuals make to overcome internal and external challenges or to provide emotional relief, with the ability to withstand or quickly recover from difficult situations) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to examine the mediating role of acceptance in the relationship between existential fulfillment and resilient coping in patients with MS, which has never been done before and presents a lack of research in this subject. Furthermore, this research can provide psychotherapists with more accurate and real solutions to improve the quality of the life of people with MS.
Method: A correlational research design with structural equation modeling was used. The sample consisted of 210 MS patients from Yazd and Isfahan provinces, Iran, selected through convenience sampling in 2022. Participants completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and the Existential Fulfillment Scale (EFS). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS-26 and AMOS-24 software.
Results: Findings indicated that existential fulfillment not only directly influences resilient coping in MS patients but also indirectly enhances it by increasing acceptance (p<0.01). These results underscore the importance of fostering existential fulfillment and acceptance in therapeutic interventions aimed at improving resilience among individuals with MS, offering new insights for psychological support and care strategies in clinical settings.
Conclusion: Based on these results, acceptance plays a mediating role between existential fulfillment and resilient coping. This means it could be used to improve life conditions for people with MS. Such approaches could play a significant role in managing or improving the psychological impacts of MS.
Keywords
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Existential Psychology
Psychological Resilience
Multiple Sclerosis
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 1
Spring 2025
Pages 9-16