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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Profiles of Women With Fibromyalgia and Social Comparison Processes
M Carmen Terol Cantero1,2, Abraham P Buunk2, Victor Cabrera3
1Departamento Ciencias del Comportamiento y Salud, Facultad Ciencias Sociosanitarias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain.
Background:
Due to uncertainty regarding chronic pain in Fibromyalgia (FM) patients, there has been a growing interest in social comparison and its influence on emotional responses.
Aims:
to analyze profiles in FM patients according to pain perception, social comparison strategies and anxiety and depression.
Methods:
The sample consisted of 131 FM outpatients (Mean age: 50.15, SD = 11.1). Two scales were used: the Social Comparison Illness Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Results:
Two profiles were found by cluster analysis (K-means method): one (66%) with a higher level of pain perception, anxiety and depression and greater use of upward contrast and downward identification social comparison; and another (34%) with lower levels of pain perception, anxiety and depression and greater use of upward identification and downward contrast.
Conclusion:
These profiles underline the interest in social comparison strategies and their role in FM.
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