Differentiation of Self, Perceived Stress, and Symptom Severity Among Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

This article presents an empirical examination of the usefulness of Bowen family systems theory as a framework for understanding fibromyalgia syndrome. This cross-sectional Internet-based survey included 201 participants diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. Results indicated that more severe symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome are significantly correlated with higher levels of perceived stress, lower levels of differentiation of self, and higher levels of emotional cutoff. In addition, indicators of differentiation of self (i.e., emotional cutoff and emotional reactivity) were found to moderate the relationship between perceived stress and symptom severity, although these indicators did not account for large proportions of the observed variances in symptom severity. Implications for Bowen family systems theory and clinical practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.