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Beliefs about sharing illness experiences: Development of a scale and relationship with symptoms of fibromyalgia

Beliefs about sharing illness experiences: Development of a scale and relationship with symptoms of fibromyalgia
Beliefs about sharing illness experiences: Development of a scale and relationship with symptoms of fibromyalgia
Objectives
The aim of the current research was to evaluate, in people with fibromyalgia, the extent to which beliefs about sharing illness experiences are associated with functioning and distress, and to explore the mediating role of illness behaviours. A new scale was designed to address this.

Design
The Beliefs about Sharing Illness Experiences (BASIE) scale was developed, and initial tests of reliability and validity were conducted. A cross-sectional design was used to determine relationships, including mediation analyses.

Methods
Individuals with fibromyalgia (n = 147) and a comparison group of individuals without fibromyalgia (n = 47) completed questionnaires online. Construct validity was assessed by comparing these two groups. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with the BASIE and measures of support-seeking and self-sacrifice. Correlation analyses were used to determine relationships with illness behaviours and outcome measures (distress and global impact). Mediation analyses were used to test the indirect effects of illness behaviours.

Results
The BASIE was correlated with expected convergent measures and had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .939). Individuals with fibromyalgia had significantly higher scores than the comparison group. There was a direct relationship between BASIE scores and outcomes, in terms of functioning and distress. The relationship between BASIE scores and functioning was partially mediated by personal/emotional support-seeking and all-or-nothing behaviours, and not by symptom-related support-seeking or limiting behaviours.

Conclusion
Beliefs about sharing illness experiences may be a key factor in maintaining cycles of distress and symptoms in people with fibromyalgia, together with all-or-nothing behaviours and personal/emotional support-seeking.

1359-107X
687–703
Wroe, Abigail L.
acb400f7-537b-489b-8a22-e593cd8e9c9c
Bowers, Hannah M.
c81d418d-3cd7-4da5-bd09-0eee862bd49f
Wroe, Abigail L.
acb400f7-537b-489b-8a22-e593cd8e9c9c
Bowers, Hannah M.
c81d418d-3cd7-4da5-bd09-0eee862bd49f

Wroe, Abigail L. and Bowers, Hannah M. (2019) Beliefs about sharing illness experiences: Development of a scale and relationship with symptoms of fibromyalgia. British Journal of Health Psychology, 687–703. (doi:10.1111/bjhp.12376).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of the current research was to evaluate, in people with fibromyalgia, the extent to which beliefs about sharing illness experiences are associated with functioning and distress, and to explore the mediating role of illness behaviours. A new scale was designed to address this.

Design
The Beliefs about Sharing Illness Experiences (BASIE) scale was developed, and initial tests of reliability and validity were conducted. A cross-sectional design was used to determine relationships, including mediation analyses.

Methods
Individuals with fibromyalgia (n = 147) and a comparison group of individuals without fibromyalgia (n = 47) completed questionnaires online. Construct validity was assessed by comparing these two groups. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with the BASIE and measures of support-seeking and self-sacrifice. Correlation analyses were used to determine relationships with illness behaviours and outcome measures (distress and global impact). Mediation analyses were used to test the indirect effects of illness behaviours.

Results
The BASIE was correlated with expected convergent measures and had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .939). Individuals with fibromyalgia had significantly higher scores than the comparison group. There was a direct relationship between BASIE scores and outcomes, in terms of functioning and distress. The relationship between BASIE scores and functioning was partially mediated by personal/emotional support-seeking and all-or-nothing behaviours, and not by symptom-related support-seeking or limiting behaviours.

Conclusion
Beliefs about sharing illness experiences may be a key factor in maintaining cycles of distress and symptoms in people with fibromyalgia, together with all-or-nothing behaviours and personal/emotional support-seeking.

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More information

Published date: 23 June 2019

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 451810
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/451810
ISSN: 1359-107X
PURE UUID: 67e061ef-0759-426b-a5e7-d8eb87fa4652
ORCID for Hannah M. Bowers: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1996-6652

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Date deposited: 28 Oct 2021 16:33
Last modified: 12 Jun 2024 01:53

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Contributors

Author: Abigail L. Wroe

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