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Early maladaptive schemas as a risk factor for fibromyalgia: A case-control study
Almudena López-López1, Juan Carlos Pacho1, José Luis González1
1Department of Psychology, King Juan Carlos University.
Psychological Trauma : Theory, Research, Practice and Policy
|February 9, 2023
Summary
Fibromyalgia patients frequently exhibit early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), which are linked to pain intensity. This suggests early stress may contribute to fibromyalgia pain, highlighting EMSs as a relevant clinical consideration.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Research
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Early life stress and trauma are linked to fibromyalgia (FM) development.
- Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs), consequences of early stress, are implicated in maintaining stress responses and in other pain conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence of EMSs in fibromyalgia patients versus healthy women.
- To investigate the association between EMS strength and pain intensity in FM patients.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 167 women (83 with FM, 84 healthy controls).
- Statistical analyses included chi-square and discriminant analyses to evaluate EMS presence and discriminatory power.
Main Results:
- Fibromyalgia patients showed significantly higher rates of clinically significant EMSs across 11 of 18 evaluated schemas.
- EMSs effectively discriminated between FM patients and controls, with 74.2% accuracy.
- Pain intensity in FM patients correlated with specific EMSs: approval seeking, unrelenting standards, insufficient self-control, and mistrust/abuse.
Conclusions:
- A high proportion of fibromyalgia patients present with clinically significant EMSs, similar to other pain populations.
- EMSs are positively associated with pain intensity in FM, suggesting a link between early stress and fibromyalgia pain.
- Considering EMSs is clinically relevant for understanding and potentially managing fibromyalgia.
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