Are beliefs about emotions related to outcomes in fibromyalgia?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The relationship between beliefs about emotions, emotional suppression, distress and impact on daily living in fibromyalgia.
IRAS ID
141630
Contact name
Hannah Bowers
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Previous research has shown a link between high levels of emotional suppression and high levels of pain, but little research has addressed the beliefs that might lead to emotional suppression. The current project will look at beliefs about the unacceptability of experiencing and expressing emotions, and emotional suppression in fibromyalgia patients. These will be measured before and after undergoing a course of psychotherapy and at 6-8 weeks follow-up, which they will be undertaking as part of their routine NHS care outside of the research. This research will also measure distress and the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life at these time points to see if beliefs about emotions and emotional suppression not only change after intervention, but also whether this change is associated with a change in distress and impact on quality of life. A further group of participants with fibromyalgia will be recruited from outside a clinical setting (i.e. from support groups and online) and will be compared with healthy controls along with the sample of the first study. This cross-sectional analysis will assess whether there are differences in beliefs about emotions and emotional suppression between those with fibromyalgia and those without.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/1003
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion