A Personality Profile of Patients Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
A Personality Profile of Patients Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
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Issue Date
2000
Authors
Thompson, Rebecca E.
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Abstract
This study investigated characteristic personality similarities of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) through content analysis of categorical data gathered from self-report questionnaires. The participant questionnaire packet consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Results of the psychometric testing were analyzed in relation to The High-Risk Model of Threat Perception (Wickramasekera, 1979, 1988, 1998), a multidimensional model of risk factors for stress-related disorders . A comparison of a control group and a clinical group was used to determine if patients diagnosed with FM fit the personality profile that leads to an increased risk of developing stress-related physical symptomatology. The goal of this study was to determine if a defining psychological profile exists for patients with FM in reference to high or low absorption ability, repressive coping style, negative affectivity, and psychological functional ability. If personality characteristics can be defined, it may be possible to detect a personality profile of patients who may be predisposed to FM. Findings from this study suggest that women with FM have a tendency to score high on repressive coping, negative affectivity, and high absorption. They attempt to present themselves as having less symptoms and more emotional stability than may actually be true. This study suggests that women diagnosed with FM are more likely to have experienced physical injury, illness, and/or abuse (physical, emotional, and/or sexual) prior to their onset of FM symptomatology. A personality profile of FM, therefore, may be useful in the development of the conceptualization, primary prevention, and treatment of FM.