Psychological well being, negative affectivity, and perceived quality of life in fibromyalgic female patients

Abstract

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of psychological well being (PWB), negative affectivity, and quality of life in a sample of fibromyalgic patients. Methods: 48 women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia were compared with 48 healthy female controls from the general population. Measures of PWB, negative affectivity, daily functional status, and perceived quality of life were obtained from standardised, self-administered rating scales. Results: cases showed higher depression symptomatology, more difficulties in daily functional skills, and a poorer perceived quality of life than controls. Between-groups differences in anxiety symptoms or in PWB dimensions were not statistically significant. Cases did not show correlations between PWB and perceived quality of life, while controls had a positive correlation. Conclusion: fibromyalgic patients seem to link their perception of quality of life to the level of depression and the difficulties in daily living, and not to the PWB constructs