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Self-awareness assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis and its relationship with depression: A cross-sectional study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran Universal Scientific Education and Research Network, Tehran, Iran

2 Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran

4 School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, International Campus, Tehran, Iran School of Health Science, Department of Public Health, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a widespread autoimmune disease that affects millions of people globally. Depression among patients with MS remains poorly understood. Self-awareness, the recognition of one's emotions and limitations, has emerged as a potential factor that influences mental health. This study assessed self-awareness and its link to depression in patients with MS, thus contributing to mental health knowledge. These findings may inform targeted interventions to achieve better outcomes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the self-awareness of patients with MS and included 97 patients referred to the MS Research Center at Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Self-awareness was evaluated using the Self-Consciousness Scale-Revised (SCS-R). Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). SCS-R and BDI-II scores were calculated separately for each category. Participants completed an online questionnaire.
Results: The mean age of participants was 38.66 years. Family history was positive in 18.6% of the participants. The mean BDI-II was 18.40 ± 12.32. The mean for private self-consciousness was 10.28 ± 2.77, and for public self-consciousness and social anxiety was 13.32 ± 3.57 and 13.32 ± 3.40, respectively. A significant association was observed between self-awareness and BDI-II (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: There is a statistically significant link between specific sub-categories of self-awareness and severity of depression in patients with MS. Patients with MS have low private self-consciousness scores and high scores on public self-consciousness, whereas the average score was noted for social anxiety. Concealed prognostic factors might be linked to self-awareness in individuals living with MS. Therefore, additional studies further examining these factors are highly endorsed.

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Current Journal of Neurology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 March 2026
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