Posttraumatic Growth in Women With Fibromyalgia Report (Assessment)

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Theoretical Foundations

To explain the development of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) in mothers with the focus on its association with posttraumatic growth (PTG), it is necessary to refer to the adult attachment theory and the PTG theory that reflects the principles of the resilience theoretical model. According to the premises of the attachment theory, adults are inclined to develop stable emotional relations with people to feel support and safety. On the contrary, while coping with difficulties, people can choose the avoidant attachment style and limit their communication with relatives.

Close people’s behavioral responses play a key role in determining whether a person can feel safe (Forsythe, Romano, Jensen, & Thorn, 2012). Thus, this theory provides an appropriate framework for explaining how FS can influence the atmosphere in the family with the focus on relationships between partners, as well as relationships between parents and children. When a mother in the family suffers from FS, she can demonstrate different attachment styles depending on the presence or absence of PTG.

The problem of FS can also be discussed from the perspective of the PTG theory based on the idea of resilience. According to this theory, the recovery from pain and other symptoms is often associated with positive emotions and changes in viewing illnesses. McAllister, Vincent, Hassett, Whipple, and Oh (2015) note that this recovery or improvement in the physical and emotional state can be associated with the person’s resilience.

This theory asserts that if a person experiences many positive emotions and increases one’s resilience, psychologists can expect decreases in the pain and development of PTG. In this research, it is possible to predict that women with FS can demonstrate different attachment styles that influence the development of PTG and further positive changes in these women’s daily life.

Contributions to Theory

The research can contribute to the existing literature on FS and PTG discussed in the context of families and the role of syndromes on persons’ lifestyles and family relations. Although the literature on FS is detailed and there is research on specific features of this syndrome, a few studies can provide the answers to the relationship between FS in women, PTG, and their lifestyles, as well as relations in the family.

The current research is important to demonstrate that women or mothers with FS who have signs of PTG can recover from the illness more successfully, the level of the chronic pain can decrease, and the overall quality of the life can increase (Thieme, Turk, Gracely, & Flor, 2016). The research is also important to conclude that the adult attachment theory and the PTG theory can be used by psychologists and healthcare providers to explain how the development of PTG in female patients can lead to improving the physical and emotional state associated with FS.

Therefore, the current research contributes to the discussion of the problem of FS from the new perspective. The contribution is related to discussing not only the relationship between the syndrome and the family life but also the relationship between FS and PTG with the further effects on the daily life of females suffering from such symptoms as chronic pain, fatigue, and sleepiness among other symptoms. Recently, researchers have discussed FS while applying minimum theories and focusing on challenges experienced by women with FS in their life (Juuso, Skar, Olsson, & Soderberg, 2013). Still, the research proposes a more holistic approach to studying the problem and contributes to the theory.

Theoretical Implications

Past studies suggest that FS develops as a result of the impact of biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors among others. Therefore, much attention should be paid to analyzing all these factors to explain what treatment can be effective to reduce symptoms (Di Tella, Castelli, Colonna, Fusaro, & Torta, 2015). In its turn, PTG is regarded by researchers as a positive change in the emotional state of persons suffering from traumas or illnesses among other problems.

PTG is discussed concerning FS only in the limited number of studies, including the research by McInnis, McQuaid, Bombay, Matheson, and Anisman (2015). This current research has important theoretical implications because it proposes a complex view regarding the relationship between FS, PTG, and women’s daily experiences in their families. Also, it is important to note that this research is focused on examining the unique experiences of mothers who suffer from FS and have problems with developing their family relationships.

This research covers the gap in the existing literature regarding the examination of the possible correlation between FS and PTG in mothers with the focus on studying the positive impact of this relationship on their daily activities and family bonds (Juuso et al., 2013). The findings of this study are important to demonstrate that such a relationship exists, and the progress in terms of PTG in women with FS can be an indicator of the further positive changes in personal life and family relations. These conclusions and implications add to the existing literature on fibromyalgia and posttraumatic growth while illustrating how positive changes in the woman’s emotional state can cause desired changes concerning FS.

Practical Implications

The results of this research have important practical implications for psychologists, therapists, and healthcare providers working with women who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. First, it is important to note that the research is aimed to support the positive correlation between the development of PTG and reduction in symptoms associated with FS.

These results are important to be taken into account by practitioners to propose therapies to develop PTG to females who suffer from FS (Thieme et al., 2016). Currently, the information regarding the implementation of therapies to address FS concerning PTG is limited, and this research allows for paying more attention to the role of posttraumatic growth for the recovery from FS or for the reduction of symptoms.

Also, this research is important to be used to improve practices associated with working with females suffering from FS and families where women have the syndrome to affect the relationships with partners and children. The study indicates that FS can have a significant negative impact on the dynamics of family relations, and the results of the research should be used by psychologists and other practitioners to integrate PTG in the therapy and design effective counseling sessions.

The purpose of such practices should be the improvement of the family life, and this research can also be referred to by practitioners to apply the principles of the adult attachment theory to practice. Therefore, the results of this research can be helpful to guide psychologists and healthcare providers in their work with women having FS, as well as with their partners and children.

References

Di Tella, M., Castelli, L., Colonna, F., Fusaro, E., & Torta, R. (2015). Theory of Mind and emotional functioning in fibromyalgia syndrome: An investigation of the relationship between social cognition and executive function. PloS One, 10(1), 1-14.

Forsythe, L. P., Romano, J. M., Jensen, M. P., & Thorn, B. E. (2012). Attachment style is associated with perceived spouse responses and pain-related outcomes. Rehabilitation Psychology, 57(4), 290-301.

Juuso, P., Skar, L., Olsson, M., & Soderberg, S. (2013). Meanings of feeling well for women with fibromyalgia. Health Care for Women International, 34(8), 694-706.

McAllister, S. J., Vincent, A., Hassett, A. L., Whipple, M. O., & Oh, T. H. (2015). Psychological resilience, affective mechanisms and symptom burden in a tertiary‐care sample of patients with fibromyalgia. Stress and Health, 31(4), 299-305.

McInnis, O. A., McQuaid, R. J., Bombay, A., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. (2015). Finding benefit in stressful uncertain circumstances: Relations to social support and stigma among women with unexplained illnesses. Stress, 18(2), 169-177.

Thieme, K., Turk, D. C., Gracely, R. H., & Flor, H. (2016). Differential psychophysiological effects of operant and cognitive behavioural treatments in women with fibromyalgia. European Journal of Pain, 2(3), 1-12.

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