Dyadic coping strategies and quality of care experience: An original study of patients living with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers

Background and objective. - Multiple sclerosis has a major impact on the lives of patients and their caregivers. Measuring their experience is essential for improving the quality of care. Based on a sample of patient-informal caregiver dyads we examine whether coping strategies they implemented influenced their self-experience of quality of care. Methods. - One hundred and eighty three dyads were involved in this cross-sectional study. Self reported data included experience with the quality of care (Musicare) and coping strategies (Brief Cope) for patients and their caregivers. An actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) analysis was performed to assess the dyadic effects of coping strategies on experience of quality of care. Results. - Positive coping strategies were the most used by patients and caregivers alike. They were associated with a better experience of relationships with healthcare professio-nals, information about the disease and patient reception at the sites providing care. APIM analyses confirmed most of these results and identified one "partner" effect. Conclusion. - The experience of the quality of the care of patients living with MS is related to the use of positive coping strategies. # 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.