Coping and Beliefs as Predictors of Functioning and Psychological Adjustment in Fibromyalgia Subgroups

Abstract

Objectives. Research has pointed to two profiles of persons with fibromyalgia according to differences in functionality, thus distinguishing between functional and dysfunctional patients. The role of psychological factors underlying such clusters is unclear. This study aims to explore the contribution of pain beliefs and coping on fibromyalgia clustering. Methods. A cluster analysis was performed to classify 238 women with fibromyalgia using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory as clustering variables. Cluster differences in physical functioning, depression, pain beliefs, coping, and age were then calculated (Student’s t-test). Finally, a binary logistic regression was conducted to study the unique contribution of age, beliefs, and coping on cluster classification. Results. Two clusters were revealed. Cluster 1 had a poor adaptation to fibromyalgia regarding physical functioning and depression. They generally embraced less adaptive beliefs (i.e., disability, harm, emotion, and requests) and coping strategies (i.e., guarding, resting, and asking for assistance). Cluster 2 showed a better adaptation to fibromyalgia and adopted more favorable beliefs (i.e., control) and coping strategies (i.e., exercise and task persistence). Cluster differences in age were significant but small. The backward binary logistic regression suggested a final model with six predictors (guarding, task persistence, harm, emotion, solicitude, and age) that explained 31% of the variance of group membership. Discussion. These results suggest that only a subset of psychological variables uniquely and independently contribute to functional/dysfunctional group membership. The results support the need to address psychological components in the management of fibromyalgia and point to a subset of preferred target beliefs and coping strategies.

The lived experience of mothers living with fibromyalgia syndrome: A phenomenological inquiry

“…The third theme, ‘a struggle to maintain strength among limitations’, showed how, daily, women with fibromyalgia adopt strategies to cope with the syndrome in their daily lives (Rubio Fidel et al., 2022). As most of our participants said, the key to coping with FMS was accepting their chronic condition and trying to forget the pain differently.…”

Fibromyalgia as a Transparent Disease

“…The literature is abundant with studies that show a clear correlation between coping with a chronic disease and emotional and psychological aspects. Many studies have addressed the emotional and psychological foundations underlying coping with FM [39][40][41][42][43]. However, our study is unique because it touches on two important aspects of pain and FM as an invisible disease.…”

The Contribution of the Psychologist in the Assessment and Treatment of Fibromyalgia

“…Research has repeatedly revealed that patients with FMS do not form a homogeneous group and that different adaptation styles exist according to their psychological profile (e.g., emotional status, attributional styles, and coping patterns) [122,123]. Therefore, treatment interventions should be geared towards the patient's individual needs, with flexible adaptations throughout the therapy process, based on the patient progress, using measurement-based care with routine outcome monitoring [124].…”