Background: People with Fibromyalgia had difficulty in identifying, reflecting and regulating their emotions.
Alexithymia and negative illness perception could make difficult for them to communicate verbally so they may
develop psychological distress as depression and anxiety. Aim of the study: To determine the relationship between
illness perception, alexithymia and psychological distress in women with Fibromyalgia. Study design: A descriptive
correlated design was utilized in this study. Study setting: The study was conducted at rheumatology outpatient
clinic at Benha University Hospital in Benha City, Qalyubia Governorate. Subjects: Convenience sample of 80
women with Fibromyalgia from the previous study setting. Tools for data collection: Tool (1) Structured Interview
Questionnaire to collect demographic and clinical data of the studied sample, Tool (2) Toronto Alexithymia Scale,
Tool (3) Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Tool (4) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Two thirds
of the studied women with fibromyalgia had alexithymia, more than half had negative level of illness perception, less
than half had moderate level of anxiety and depression. Also, a statistically significant positive correlation between
total alexithymia and total psychological distress, and a statistically significant negative correlation between total
illness perception, total alexithymia and total psychological distress. Conclusion: The study concluded that,
alexithymia had strong positive associations with anxiety and depression. Also, there is a significant negative
predictor of illness perception with anxiety and depression among the studied women. In other words, increasing
alexithymia and negative illness perception among women with fibromyalgia associated with more severe depression
and anxiety symptoms. Recommendation: The study recommended psycho-educational intervention programs for
such group of women to reduce the consequences of fibromyalgia. |
