Physical function and quality of well-being in fibromyalgia: the applicability of the goodness-of-fit hypothesis

• Published in: Health psychology & behavioral medicine Vol. 2; no. 1; pp. 496 - 508
• Main Authors: Santoro, Maya S., Van Liew, Charles, Cronan, Terry A., Franks, Heather M., Adams, Rebecca N., Roesch, Scott C., Wooldridge, Jennalee S., Tomita, Mitsuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 01.01.2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: control; coping; Fibromyalgia; fibromyalgia syndrome; Hypotheses; Original; physical function; quality of well-being; quality of well-being; control; physical function; fibromyalgia syndrome; coping
• ISSN: 2164-2850; 2164-2850
• DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2014.905205

Objective: The goodness-of-fit hypothesis suggests that the effectiveness of a coping strategy depends on the match between type of strategy (problem-focused, emotion-focused) and the level of perceived control. This hypothesis was examined as a predictor of physical functioning and quality of well-being (QWB) in a large sample of women with fibromyalgia. Methods: Participants were 478 women with diagnosed fibromyalgia (M age  = 54.31, SD = 11.2), who were part of a larger intervention in which no intervention effects were found. Hierarchical, mixed selection regressions were performed to determine whether the relationship between coping and control-predicted physical functioning and QWB. Results: Participants who reported having lower levels of perceived control over their fibromyalgia syndrome and who engaged in more self-controlling coping (emotion-focused strategy) experienced greater QWB and physical functioning than those who used less self-controlling coping. Various main effects for coping and perceived control were also found. Level of physical functioning was also related to escape-avoidance, distancing, and perceived control. The level of QWB was related to social-support seeking, accepting responsibility, distancing, problem-solving, and perceived control. Conclusions: This study provides a greater understanding of the relationships among coping, perceived control, physical functioning, and well-being for women with fibromyalgia. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.