Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Psychology

Date of Award

5-2017

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Christopher S. Dula, Jon R. Webb

Committee Members

Jameson K. Hirsch, Matthrew T. McBee

Abstract

Mindfulness is a cognitive attribute that is associated with better health and well-being. Fibromyalgia is a neurosensory disorder primarily characterized by chronic pain and comorbid depression, leading to an increased risk for alcohol-related problems. Empirical literature confirms mindfulness has beneficial associations with chronic pain, depression, alcohol-related problems, and fibromyalgia. Mindfulness may lead to better health and well-being by facilitating self-monitoring, objective reperceiving, and purposeful changing of health-related behaviors. It was hypothesized that higher levels of mindfulness would be related to lower levels of chronic pain and depressive symptoms, and, in turn, to fewer alcohol-related problems among individuals with fibromyalgia. Cross-sectional data was collected from 287 participants, and statistically analyzed using parallel mediation models. Hypotheses were only partially supported; mindfulness had an inverse relationship with alcohol-related problems, as hypothesized, although the relationship was not mediated by chronic pain or depressive symptoms.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by Julie I. Morrissey, the first author

Included in

Psychology Commons

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