Expressing emotions, rejection sensitivity, and attachment in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine emotional awareness, control of emotions, and the childhood attachment process in fibromyalgia patients. Patients and methods: The observational study was conducted with 117 participants (14 males, 103 females; mean age: 43.9±9.0 years; range, 22 to 64 years) between February 20, 2022, and May 20, 2022. Sixty-one patients and 56 healthy control subjects filled out a form including sociodemographic data, such as age, sex, occupation, and educational status. In addition, the participants answered the Expressing Emotions Scale, Rejection Sensitivity Scale, and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. Results: In our study, Expressing Emotions Scale scores are significantly higher in the healthy control group than in the patient group (p<0.05). Rejection Sensitivity Scale scores are significantly higher in the patient group than in the healthy control group (p<0.05). In the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, a significant difference was determined between the patient and control groups in the avoidant attachment subdimension (p<0.05). Similarly, a significant difference was observed between both groups in terms of the anxiety attachment subdimension (p<0.05). Conclusion: The ability to express emotions is lower and avoidant and anxious attachment rates are higher in fibromyalgia patients.

Insecure Attachment, Oxytocinergic System and C Tactile Fibers: An Integrative and Translational Pathophysiological Model of Fibromyalgia and Central Sensitization Syndromes

“…In fact, as also found in other CP syndromes, IA is frequently observed in patients with FMS and appears not to be specific of this CP disorder [65,66]. Rather, it has been hypothesized that IA represents an important predisposing factor to alexithymia which, conversely, has been found to be a predictive personality trait of FMS [66,67]. Regardless, the presence of IA represents an important predictor of lower quality of life in patients with FMS and this effect appears to be mediated by low self-esteem [68] and depressive symtpoms [69].…”