Self and Other Mental Representations in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: The Role of Cultural-Social Context

Document Type : Scientific-research

Authors

1 M.A. in General Psychology. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Behehsti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor of Psychology. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Behehsti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Psychology. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Behehsti University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Professor of Neurology. Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine Neurosciences Research Center Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

10.48308/apsy.2023.231575.1487

Abstract

Aim: The present study investigated self and others' mental representations in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and compared mental representations across the cultures of Isfahan and Tehran.
 
Method: This research was quasi-experimental with a mixed factorial design. The statistical population included MS patients and non-MS individuals living in Isfahan, as well as non-MS individuals from Tehran. In total, 244 participants (82 MS patients and 82 non-patients from Isfahan, and 80 non-patients from Tehran) adjusted interpersonal distances with protagonists (childhood self-image, current self-image, mother, love partner, and friend) in the comfortable interpersonal distance test (CID) under both active and passive modes.
 
Results: The analysis of repeated measures ANOVA showed that MS patients preferred greater interpersonal distances than non-patients when faced with their current self-image, a close friend, and a partner. Additionally, participants from Isfahan, both MS patients and non-patients, chose significantly larger interpersonal distances with all protagonists compared to the Tehran group.
 
Conclusion: The findings suggest a kind of self-alienation experience in MS patients at the level of mental representation and highlight the importance of cultural context in shaping mental representations.

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Main Subjects

References

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