Catastrophizing and rumination mediate the link between functional disabilities and anxiety/depression in fibromyalgia. A double-mediation model

Fibromyalgia can be considered to be a model of chronic pain resulting from dysregulation of pain processing. From a psychological point of view, it is possible to consider transdiagnostic processes that would participate in both the dysregulation of pain and associated emotions. Objective. - The aim of this study was to test the links that exist between the tendency to Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) and the anxious -depressive manifestations in fibromyalgia. More specifically, we wanted to test a double mediation model where RNT would mediate the link between pain and depression/anxiety via catastrophizing. Method. - Eighty-two patients with fibromyalgia completed a series of questionnaires evaluating their level of depression, anxiety, disability related to pain, catastrophizing as well as various measures of Repetitive Thoughts. Results. - The results showed strong correlations between RNT levels, pain, and anxious -depressive manifestations in this population. Moreover, the links between pain and depression/anxiety were mediated by catastrophizing and RNT in serial. Conclusion. - Results support the interest of studying RNT as a transdiagnostic process in fibromyalgia pain. Considering RNT in fibromyalgia allows a better understanding of tthe links that exist between pain and emotional disorders in this population and thus to better understand the psychopathological comorbidity of fibromyalgia. (c) 2023 L'Encephale, Paris.