Anger, Quality of Life and Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: To investigate the role of different anger variables in predicting quality of life and mood in multiple sclerosis (MS), while controlling for disease severity. Methods: 78 individuals with MS completed questionnaire measures of anger (Anger Rumination Scale and State/Trait Anger Expression Inventory), mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale); disease severity (Patient Determined Disease Steps) and quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF). Results: Anger was significantly associated with quality of life (QoL) in MS. Higher levels of experienced anger and lack of control over the experience of anger predicted lower psychological and environmental QoL. Depression levels were also predicted by high levels of experienced anger and lack of control over anger. In contrast, ruminating about anger was the strongest predictor of anxiety levels. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that feelings of anger are strongly associated with QoL in MS, even when disease severity is taken into account. Problems in controlling and ruminating about anger may also contribute to mood disorder in MS.