Profiles of Women With Fibromyalgia and Social Comparison Processes

• Main Authors: M. Carmen Terol Cantero, Abraham P. Buunk, Victor Cabrera, Miguel Bernabé, Maite Martin-Aragón Gelabert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-03-01
• Series: Frontiers in Psychology
• Subjects: social comparison; fibromyalgia; patient profiles; anxiety; depression
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00440/full

BackgroundDue to uncertainty regarding chronic pain in Fibromyalgia (FM) patients, there has been a growing interest in social comparison and its influence on emotional responses.Aimsto analyze profiles in FM patients according to pain perception, social comparison strategies and anxiety and depression.MethodsThe 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.ResultsTwo 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.ConclusionThese profiles underline the interest in social comparison strategies and their role in FM.