Adult attachment styles, self-esteem, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Issue 2 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sechi, Cristina; Vismara, Laura; Brennstuhl, Marie Jo; Tarquinio, Cyril; Lucarelli, Loredana
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 7:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: attachment styles -- chronic pain -- fibromyalgia -- quality of life -- self-esteem -- women; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/2055102920947921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

Recently, the research on pain-related disability has increasingly paid attention to the psychological and social factors that may influence the biological condition. In the current study, we aimed to explore attachment styles, self-esteem, and quality of life in individuals with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Participants were 371 diagnosed women, with a mean age of 42.7 years (standard deviation = 10.6). The average number of years since diagnosis was 7.4 years (standard deviation = 2.4) years. To assess attachment, quality of life, and self-esteem, women responded, respectively, to the Relationship Questionnaire, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory. Our results showed that secure attachment relationships and high self-esteem represent protective factors for quality of life of women with fibromyalgia, while the contrary emerged for insecure attachments and low self-esteem. The understanding of the psychological components that contribute to fibromyalgia may improve the effectiveness of interventions.