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Coping strategies predict disability in patients with primary fibromyalgia
Michelle Y Martin1, Laurence A Bradley, Ronald W Alexander
1Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Department of Medicine,Birmingham, AL,USA.
Pain
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Coping strategies significantly impact fibromyalgia functional disability. Coping Attempts strategies were linked to higher physical and total disability, while Catastrophizing correlated with increased total disability, suggesting targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rheumatology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and functional disability.
- Understanding the role of coping strategies in managing FM is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between coping strategies and functional disability in patients with fibromyalgia.
- To identify specific coping dimensions and their association with different aspects of disability.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) to 80 fibromyalgia patients.
- Utilized principal components factor analysis to identify coping dimensions.
- Assessed functional disability using the Sickness Impact Profile, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Two primary coping dimensions emerged: Coping Attempts and Catastrophizing.
- Both dimensions significantly related to functional disability.
- Coping Attempts associated with higher physical/total disability and lower psychosocial disability.
- Catastrophizing associated with higher total disability.
Conclusions:
- Coping strategies are significantly associated with functional disability in fibromyalgia.
- Identifying and potentially modifying maladaptive coping strategies like Catastrophizing may reduce disability.
- Further research should focus on developing interventions to teach effective coping strategies to patients.