Profiles of Women With Fibromyalgia and Social Comparison Processes.
Background
Due to uncertainty regarding chronic pain in Fibromyalgia (FM) patients, there has been a growing interest in social comparison and its influence on emotional responses.


Aims
to analyze profiles in FM patients according to pain perception, social comparison strategies and anxiety and depression.


Methods
The 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.


Results
Two 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.


Conclusion
These profiles underline the interest in social comparison strategies and their role in FM.
['Terol Cantero|M Carmen|MC|', 'Buunk|Abraham P|AP|', 'Cabrera|Victor|V|', 'Bernabé|Miguel|M|', 'Martin-Aragón Gelabert|Maite|M|']
fibromyalgia social comparison anxiety depression patient profiles