H - 25 A Pilot Study of Coping and Cognition: Examining the Influence of Executive Functioning on Coping Strategies among Diverse Persons Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Objective Coping style has been identified as a potential strategy to lessen the impact of negative symptoms in persons with MS (pwMS). Prior work demonstrates that individuals with executive dysfunction are less likely to use effective coping strategies. Much remains unknown about the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and coping style, however, especially in diverse pwMS. The current pilot study aims to examine this relationship further. Methods Eighteen middle aged pwMS (10 = Latino/a, 6 = African American, 1 = Asian, 1 = Biracial) underwent evaluations for EF and coping styles. EF was assessed using the Stroop Color-Word (SCW), Oral Trail Making Test B, and Controlled Oral Word Association Test. Coping was assessed using the three subscales of the Brief-COPE: problem-focused, positive emotion-focused, and avoidant coping. Results Given the small sample size, data were interpreted in terms of effect size rather than p-values. Bivariate correlations were conducted between each EF test and coping subscale. Results demonstrated a medium-high effect size (r = 0.447) between SCW and problem-focused coping, such that better performance on the SCW was associated with greater problem-focused coping. Similarly, there was a moderate effect size (r = 0.326) between SCW and positive emotion-focused coping, with better performance on SCW related to greater positive emotion-focused coping. There were no notable relationships between EF and avoidant coping. Conclusions This study is among the first to demonstrate a relationship between EF and coping style in a sample of diverse pwMS. These results have implications for interventions that may improve coping, particularly among diverse groups who face unique challenges in coping with their disease.