Background: Previous research has consistently demonstrated that greater social support (SS) is associated with better physical health and positive psychological outcomes across a range of population samples, including patients with chronic pain. However, little is known about the pathways through which SS leads to these benefits. Psychological Flexibility (PF) may be one of the mechanisms through which SS improves functioning and psychological well-being. Indeed, there is substantial evidence indicating that also PF is a strong predictor of positive psychosocial outcomes in patients with chronic pain. This study investigated whether PF mediates the effect of SS on adjustment to pain. Methods: Participants were 112 females with endometriosis and illness-related pain, aged between 18-52 years (Mean age = 34.4; SD = 6.36). Participants were recruited through the Italian Association for the Endometriosis Project and completed self-report measures of SS, PF, psychosocial functioning, anxiety and depression. Results: The results showed a significant indirect effect of SS on anxiety and psychosocial functioning through PF. Furthermore, PF partially mediated the effect of SS on depression. Conclusion: The findings suggest that PF may represent one of the mechanism through which SS is able to influence adjustment to pain in females with endometriosis. SS may promote higher psychosocial functioning and lower psychological distress by fostering the willingness of a person to experience difficult inner events (not only pain sensations but also negative feelings, memories and thoughts) and to engage in valued actions even in the presence of such unpleasant internal events
The mediating role of Psychological Flexibility to explain the relationship between social support and pain adjustment in females with endometriosis
Bernini O.;Berrocal C.Ultimo
2023-01-01
Abstract
Background: Previous research has consistently demonstrated that greater social support (SS) is associated with better physical health and positive psychological outcomes across a range of population samples, including patients with chronic pain. However, little is known about the pathways through which SS leads to these benefits. Psychological Flexibility (PF) may be one of the mechanisms through which SS improves functioning and psychological well-being. Indeed, there is substantial evidence indicating that also PF is a strong predictor of positive psychosocial outcomes in patients with chronic pain. This study investigated whether PF mediates the effect of SS on adjustment to pain. Methods: Participants were 112 females with endometriosis and illness-related pain, aged between 18-52 years (Mean age = 34.4; SD = 6.36). Participants were recruited through the Italian Association for the Endometriosis Project and completed self-report measures of SS, PF, psychosocial functioning, anxiety and depression. Results: The results showed a significant indirect effect of SS on anxiety and psychosocial functioning through PF. Furthermore, PF partially mediated the effect of SS on depression. Conclusion: The findings suggest that PF may represent one of the mechanism through which SS is able to influence adjustment to pain in females with endometriosis. SS may promote higher psychosocial functioning and lower psychological distress by fostering the willingness of a person to experience difficult inner events (not only pain sensations but also negative feelings, memories and thoughts) and to engage in valued actions even in the presence of such unpleasant internal eventsI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
