The Role of Psychological Flexibility and Psychological Factors in Chronic Pelvic Pain Among Women: A Correlational Study

TL;DR

This study explores how psychological flexibility and distress relate to chronic pelvic pain and quality of life in women.

Contribution

The study identifies specific psychological flexibility domains linked to pain interference and quality of life in chronic pelvic pain patients.

Findings

Psychological distress and flexibility are significantly associated with pain interference.

Domains like self as context and defusion relate to pain interference.

Experiential avoidance affects physical quality of life, while psychological inflexibility affects mental quality of life.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is a multifactorial condition that affects in many ways the daily life of patients suffering from it. Different psychological factors demonstrated to be associated with the genesis and maintenance of CPP. Less is known about the role of the Psychological Flexibility (PF) model. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the relationship between the PF domains, psychological distress, pain, and quality of life in patients with chronic pelvic pain. Methods: A total of 114 women with a diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain were included in this study. Participants completed online self-report measures to assess psychological distress (anxiety, depression, stress), Psychological Flexibility, Pain interference, and Quality of life. Results: Psychological distress and Psychological Flexibility showed significant association with pain interference. Other PF dimensions related to pain interference were as follows: self as context, defusion, and values. Physical Quality of life showed significant association with Experiential avoidance and Lack of values clarity, while Mental Quality of life was associated with Psychological Inflexibility and Self as content. Conclusions: Psychological distress and Psychological Flexibility have a role in pain perception and its interference with a patient’s daily life, affecting also physical and mental quality of life of CPP patients.