Control perception in fibromyalgia syndrome: related variables.

AIM: To assess the effect of socio-demographic and clinical variables on co ntrol beliefs, and the relation of the latter with health status in Fibromy algia patients. METHOD: Subjects: 73 women with Fibromyalgia. Instruments: multidimensional, Pain Locus of Control Questionnaire (Pastor et al., 1990) , Chronic Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire (Matin-Aragon et al., 1999), Per ceived Health Competence Scale (Pastor et al., 1997), Sickness Impact Profi le (Badia and Alonso., 1994), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale ( Terol et al.,1997). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 1) Self-efficacy and perceived competen ce have a significant relation with age. 2) The higher educational level gr oup shows high scores in internal locus of control. 3) Lack of significant relations or differences in Control Perception with length of illness and n umber of services consulted. 4) The results suggest a differential role of control beliefs in the different health status dimensions.