Most MS Caregivers Want Peer Support — Few Get It

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Key Takeaway

Most MS caregivers want peer support but few get it, and better promotion and more tailored programs could help their wellbeing.

What They Found

Most caregivers in the study said they would like peer support, meaning talking with or learning from other people who care for someone with MS. Only a small number had actually taken part in in-person or online peer support groups, so what people want and what they get do not match. Caregivers reported low levels of social support and lower overall wellbeing — like feeling more stressed or alone — but the study did not find a clear link between those feelings and whether someone needed peer support. A common reason people did not join peer support was simply not knowing about options, because opportunities were not well promoted. The researchers think peer support could help, but more work is needed to find the best ways to offer and promote it for MS caregivers.

Who Should Care and Why

MS caregivers should care because peer support can offer practical tips and emotional help from people who 'get it' — like asking a neighbor who’s been through a similar project for advice. Caregivers who feel alone, overwhelmed, or unsure about caregiving tasks may benefit most if peer support is made easier to find and join. Family members and friends of caregivers can use this information to help connect caregivers to groups or share information like posting a flyer or sending a link. Healthcare providers and MS organizations should care because they can promote or set up better peer support programs — think of them as organizers who help neighbors meet each other. Improving access to peer support could make day-to-day caregiving feel less isolating and give practical ideas for managing symptoms or appointments.

Important Considerations

The study was small (27 caregivers) and done in Ireland, so results might not match every caregiver’s experience elsewhere. The study could not prove that peer support improves wellbeing — it only found that many want it but few use it, and it didn’t find clear links between support needs and wellbeing. This means while peer support looks promising, we can’t assume it will fix problems for everyone without more research and better-designed programs.

Categories:

Caregivers Living with MS Mental Wellness

Article Topics:

barriersconvergent designinformal caregiversmixed-methodsmultiple sclerosispeer supportwellbeing

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like Journal of health psychology often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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