Evaluation of Religious Spiritual Coping in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case–Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective

A study of religious and spiritual coping [RSC] could contribute to our understanding of the impact of religiosity and spirituality on health. Our objective was to evaluate the use of RSC and its relationship to quality of life [QoL] in a group of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and in a control group, and its relationship to quality of life [QoL].

Methods

This is a cross-sectional case–control study. Forty-two female outpatients with FMS from a rheumatology clinic and 90 outpatients without chronic pain from a gynecology clinic were evaluated. All subjects completed the Brazilian version of the Religious Spiritual Coping Questionnaire, World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The analysis was accomplished by the chi-square test, t-test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression.

Results

The use of the RSC in the sample was medium to high, with similar profiles of coping in both groups. An exception was the use of “passive religious deferral/pleading for direct intercession,” which was lower in the FMS group. When controlled for depressive symptoms, the RSC does not show significant association with QoL.

Conclusion

The use of RSC in a clinic population is frequent but the coping profile is not influenced by the presence of chronic pain, despite its effects in QoL and in depressive symptoms. Chronic pain may lead to a more pragmatic approach to struggling against the disease.

Keywords:

• Coping
• religion
• spirituality
• quality of life
• fibromyalgia syndrome

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Regina S Michel, MD, and Michele Gracioli, Letícia A Rodrigues, Maria CA Luce, Rafaela Mantelli, and Mariana A Losekann [medical students] for collaboration in data collection.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST Leandro T Pizutti, MD, MSc – Financial or Business/Organizational Interests: none declared; Significant Financial Interest or Leadership Position: none declared. José GV Taborda, MD, Dr – Financial or Business/Organizational Interests: none declared; Significant Financial Interest or Leadership Position: none declared. Tatiana F Tourinho, MD, Dr – Financial or Business/Organizational Interests: none declared; Significant Financial Interest or Leadership Position: none declared. Grant support by authors.