In the Face of Pain: The Relationship between Psychological Well-Being and Disability in Women with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background: Few studies have examined the potentially beneficial role of positive psychological functioning in individuals with chronic pain. This study examined the relationship of psychological well-being (PWB) to pain and disability in women with fibromyalgia (FM) as compared to women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls (HC). We targeted several domains of PWB that have been associated with health, and also tested whether PWB was related to the women’s social network. Methods: PWB, pain, and disability were assessed in 125 women (57 with FM, 20 with RA, and 48 HC) on two occasions. Results: Women with FM reported lower overall PWB than did RA and HC women. Further, greater PWB was associated with less disability and fatigue, but not pain in women with FM. Self-acceptance, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and positive relations with others emerged as four important constructs in the association between PWB and disability. In addition, PWB mediated the relationship between social network size and disability. Conclusions: This assessment of PWB provides insight into those psychological domains that should be emphasized in treatments aimed at reducing the disabling aspects of FM.

The relationship between psychosocial variables and measures of health status in fibromyalgia

“…Scleicher et al (2005) found a relationship between positive personal relationships and psychological well-being in female patients with fibromyalgia. 44 But the quality of social support does not seem to play an important role in health status, as measured in the present study. The finding that patients with positive situation-specific cognitions rated performance of activities of daily living as less difficult underscores the importance of self-efficacy, defined as beliefs (cognitions) that one can competently cope with a challenging situation and that one has the ability to influence behaviour in coping with symptoms of fibromyalgia.…”

Mindfulness Training as an Intervention for Fibromyalgia: Evidence of Postintervention and 3-Year Follow-Up Benefits in Well-Being

“…This study employs mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) [24] to evaluate whether an intervention that primarily focuses on psychosocial adjustment to and coping with chronic dysfunction [e.g. [25]] may provide long-term benefits for female fibromyalgia patients. MBSR has been employed among patients with a wide variety of chronic clinical ailments [26,27,28].…”

The relevance of client-healthcare provider communication to the appraisal of illness uncertainty in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

“…Other studies have specifically focused on the effects of pain and function on emotional outcomes in women with FMS. Multiple studies have found depression is more prevalent in persons with FMS than persons with other chronic pain disorders (Haugli et al, 2004;Huber, Suman, Biasi, & Carli, 2008;Schleicher et al, 2005;Shuster et al, 2009;Tander et al, 2008). From these studies it appears the emotional upheaval experienced in persons with FMS is related to multiple factors.…”

“…Although FMS may strike children, and men and women of all ages, the incidence is highest in middle-aged females (National Fibromyalgia Association [NFA], 2015;Weir et al, 2006). Importantly, FMS imposes a substantial burden, as it causes disability and impacts quality of life (Annemans et al, 2009;Egeli et al, 2008;Lempp et al, 2009;Robinson et al, 2012;Schleicher et al, 2005;Shuster et al, 2009). …”

“…Accumulating evidence indicates FMS is a critical healthcare problem. The relentless, diffuse pain and multiple co-morbidities experienced with FMS encumber quality of life (QOL), affecting physical and mental well-being (Annemans, Lay, & Taieb, 2009;Egeli, Crooks, Matheson, Ursa, & Marchant, 2008;Geisser et al, 2008;Lempp, Hatch, Carville, & Choy, 2009;Schleicher et al, 2005;Shuster, McCormack, Ridell, & Toplack, 2009). Chronic pain, anxiety, and depression are the most common disabling symptoms of FMS (Schafer et al, 2011).…”