Evaluation of an intensive psychosocial intervention for children of parents with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To evaluate an intervention for children of parents with multiple sclerosis (MS). It was hypothesized that the intervention would increase knowledge of MS, approach coping, and social support and decrease avoidant coping and stress appraisals. It was expected that these changes would reduce the adverse impacts of caregiving and produce better adjustment. Method: Twenty children (9-14 years) who had a parent with MS attended a 6-day camp intervention. These children completed questionnaires at pre- and postintervention and at 3-month follow-up; their parents with MS (N = 14) completed questionnaires at preintervention and at follow-up. Results: After the intervention, children reported significant decreases in distress, stress appraisals, caregiving compulsion, and activity restrictions and increases in social support and knowledge of MS. Parental data confirmed the increase in the children's knowledge of MS, and overall, qualitative data supported the quantitative findings. Qualitative data showed that the intervention had indirect effects on some parents and families. Conclusions: Findings offer preliminary support for the use of a stress- and coping-based intervention for supporting children and their families with parental MS.