SOCIAL SUPPORT AS MODERATOR FOR THE ANGER/PAIN RELATIONSHIP IN ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a neurophysiological disorder associated with chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal, cognitive, and psychological problems. FM research demonstrates that anger and pain are positively associated, and chronic pain is associated with more anger and with lower levels/quality of social support (SS). Additionally, SS is negatively associated with anger. Considering that SS is linked to better functioning in FM patients, it is surprising that the impact of SS on the anger/pain relationship has not been researched to date. This study investigated whether SS moderated the relationship between anger and pain in individuals with (n = 121) and without FM (n = 97) using cross-sectional secondary data (2008 to 2014 first timers) from a study concerned with the physical, cognitive, and psychological statuses of older adults, ages 50 to 87 (M = 63.4, SD = 8.84). Anger and Pain were measured using the National Fibromyalgia Association Questionnaire, perceived availability of SS with the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) measured depressive symptoms.

As predicted, t-tests revealed significantly higher levels of pain (p < .001) and anger (p < .001) and lower levels of SS (p = .016) for those with FM than those without. SPSS Moderated Regression Analyses with an outcome variable Pain and predictors Anger (centered), SS (centered) and Anger*SS partially supported the hypothesis. After controlling for depression and age, SS moderated the impact of anger on pain in the controls but not in the FM group, suggesting that the higher levels of pain FM patients experience may be too strong for SS to neutralize. SS is important not only for people’s well-being but also for one’s experience of pain as it has the potential to magnify or diminish the anger/pain relationship. Limitations were discussed.