International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Psychiatric Morbidity, Social Support, and Coping Mechanisms among Individuals with Fibromyalgia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Nice Mary Francis P
Habeeba Sulthana A. A
Sandra Soloman
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Prajyoti Niketan College, University of Calicut, Thrissur, India
10.30491/ijbs.2024.473391.2150
Abstract
Introduction: This research examines the variables of psychiatric morbidity, social support, and coping strategies among Fibromyalgia (FM) patients and explores the relationships across study variables and aims to find potential disparities across age, socioeconomic status, and illness duration between these study variables.
Method: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on FM patients (30 patients), aged 30 to 60 years, recruited through convenience sampling from hospitals in the Ernakulam district of Kerala in 2020. Psychiatric morbidity was measured using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ), social support was assessed by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and coping by the Brief COPE Scale.
Results: The study showed moderate psychiatric morbidity and inadequate social support among FM patients, with a negative association (p<.01). Psychiatric morbidity had a negative correlation with adaptive coping strategies (p<.01) and a positive correlation with self-blame (p<0.05). Adaptive coping strategies were positively linked to social support (p<0.01). Furthermore, behavioral disengagement coping differed significantly among FM patients of different ages.
Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is associated with minimal social support and non-adaptive coping among FM patients. This study underscores the need for culturally specific treatment approaches that address social support and coping strategies.
Keywords
Psychiatric
Morbidity
Social Support
Coping
Fibromyalgia Patients
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 235-241