Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Sociology and Anthropology

Department name when degree awarded

Sociology

Committee Chair(s)

Eric Reither

Committee

Eric Reither

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease with a wide range of symptoms that vary from fatigue to paralysis. People diagnosed with MS will have the disease for the rest of their lives because there is no cure. If there was a way to alleviate the severity of the symptoms or slow the progression of the disease then that would be something important of those with MS to know.

A health behavior that promises to slow the progression of the MS for people diagnosed with this disease is physical activity. Research has shown that an exercise program improves several measures of well-being, like reduced fatigue and improved strength. While physical activity has been suggested as a management tool, those with MS demonstrate lower levels of physical activity compared to those without MS in the U.S. population.

This research is focused on what influences individuals with MS to participate in physical activity. Its purpose is to look into the possibility that demographic, social hierarchy, social support, and psycho-social/personality characteristics may help predict physical activity regimens among persons with MS. Isolating the determinants of voluntary exercise in the MS subpopulation would enable clinicians and the public health community to develop effective policies and interventions that promote physical activity.

This analysis adds to the research that has already been performed by looking at many different socio-demographic topics. The research could have been improved had more aspects been available for analysis. The data set used in this research came from the questions asked in the National Health Interview Survey. Improvements in future research on the topic of MS and the predictability of physical activity among those with the disease are dependent on the development of new studies or possible improvement of surveys already produced like the NHIS. Two main improvements in new studies need to be an increased sample size and questions that are tailored towards social support and psycho-social measures.

Any research into this area will expand the knowledge base of what determinants could influence people with MS to voluntarily participate in physical activity. One potential benefit of this outcome is an effective way to help those with MS to manage their symptoms and possibly delay their onset. This, in turn, would improve their quality of life. In the end, that is the ultimate goal of all research on this topic.

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