The Relationships Between Personal Identity, Autobiographical Memory and Future Thinking in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Summary

Personal identity is composed of multiple facets of the self that are constructed and nourished through memories of past experiences (i.e., autobiographical memory) and the imagination of events that may occur in the future (i.e., future thinking) .

While our previous work has shown that people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) have autobiographical memory and future thought disorders, their impact on personal identity has not yet been explored. Based on a cognitive and clinical neuropsychology approach, this research project aims to better understand the cognitive mechanisms involved in the relationship between identity, autobiographical memory and future thinking in pwRRMS. We will examine the extent to which pwRRMS manage to maintain and reshape their identity through life experiences, with a particular interest in the potential integration of the disease as a facet of their identity. In addition, we will explore the positive and/or negative consequences of disease-related identity changes on emotional well-being and quality of life, as well as their links with the duration and severity of the disease. Overall, this research project will contribute to identify new therapeutic levers that can be used for the development of adapted and personalized care.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
• Healthy Controls

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Neuropsychological tests and psychological questionnaires

* The clinical group will complete: * the BCcogSEP: a comprehensive neuropsychological examination * the IAM and I WILL BE tasks; experimental neuropsychological tasks to assess autobiographical memory, future thinking and personal identity * A series of questionnaires including the BRIEF COPE, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, which respectively assess coping strategies, resilience, life satisfaction and anxiety/depression * The control group will complete: * the IAM and I WILL BE tasks; experimental neuropsychological tasks to assess autobiographical memory, future thinking and personal identity * A series of questionnaires including the BRIEF COPE, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, which respectively assess coping strategies, resilience, life satisfaction and anxiety/depression

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Paris 8 Vincennes Saint Denis

  collaborator OTHER

• ARSEP foundation

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Centre d'Investigation Clinique et Technologique 805

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alexandra ERNST, PhD · Laboratoire DysCo - Université Paris 8

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-12-07

Primary Completion

2024-12-07

Completion

2025-06-07

Countries

• France

Study Locations