Interactions between affect, cognition, and information behavior in the context of fibromyalgia

Abstract

It is widely recognized that affect and cognition can have a profound influence on information behavior. However, how these factors affect information behavior in the context of chronic, stigmatized conditions is less clear. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore the interrelatedness of affect, cognition, and information behavior among persons with fibromyalgia. Persons with fibromyalgia were recruited using multiple recruitment strategies (e.g., listservs and social media) for an interview study. The interview guided participants to tell their story as they drew a timeline. Data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods based on the Grounded Theory Methodology. Participants' narratives illustrated that affect and cognition had diverse effects on participants' information and health behaviors: uncertainty and negative affect promoted information seeking; affect and information facilitated reconceptualization and self-growth; and online venues facilitated venting, gave rise to validating experiences, and provided opportunities to help others. This study's findings contribute to extant knowledge by connecting affect, cognition, and action in long-term health management. The study also provides recommendations for practice: a need to focus on practical management strategies in information provision, develop information resources to address the needs of diverse populations, and promote empathy and awareness concerning invisible conditions.

Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis of conditioned pain modulation and pain in fibromyalgia: CPM as an effect modifier of pain changes over time

“…The fact that depression, anxiety, stress, and sleepiness improved over time but did not differ between the two groups of patients (Figure 3) suggests that even patients with highly efficient CPM at baseline could improve in those domains. Still, other therapies would probably need to be added to achieve improvements in pain and the perception of quality of life (Chen).…”

Enhancing conceptualisations of information behaviour contexts through insights from research on e-dictionaries and e-lexicography

“…Several information behaviour studies can be traced that report on context in association with diseases, violence and abuse, vulnerability, activities or tasks and movement (e.g. hobbies, leisure, occupations, writing, selfdevelopment) (Attfield et al, 2003;Chen, 2022;Fourie, 2012Fourie, , 2013Julien and Fourie, 2015;Kim, 2008;McKnight, 2006;Sabelli, 2012;Westbrook, 2008), responsibilities and commitments, such as patient safety (MacIntosh-Murray and Choo, 2005), phenomena such as fake news (Marcella et al, 2019) and ways of everyday life (Savolainen, 1995(Savolainen, , 2023. Savolainen (2006a) also argues for time as context.…”

Everyday information behavior during the “new normal” of the Covid-19 pandemic: approaching the notions of experiential and local knowledge

“…This research confirms Baxter and Braithwaite's (2009) idea that uncertainty allows to create meaning by interacting with others and supporting creating processes, such as coping. In the study by Chen (2022), even if uncertainty accompanies negative affect in fibromyalgia patients' experiences, its integration and acceptance afford successful coping. Future research should consider how to integrate uncertainty in public health communications and information systems design, considering its function in supporting collaboration and coping.…”