Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis Study (POMSS)

Very limited research has examined the psychological and behavioral symptoms in people diagnosed with MS as children, even though in adults, MS is often linked with fatigue, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and pain. The purpose of this study is to (1) understand how common these symptoms are in individuals with pediatric-onset MS, (2) identify key areas of concern from patients’ perspectives, and (3) learn how psychologists might best support people with pediatric-onset MS. Youth and young adults (7-21 years old) diagnosed with MS before the age of 18 and their parent/legal guardian will be asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their experience with MS. Participants will also be asked to participate in an optional interview portion of the study to provide further information about their MS experience. We hope that our findings will help improve our understanding of pediatric-onset MS and act as a guide for how health psychologists can better support this population.