| This study investigated the usefulness of baseline scores on self-reported problem-focused coping style, depression severity, perceived self-efficacy, and limitations in emotional role functioning to predict treatment adherence in a physician-referred sample of women diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Emotional role functioning, Self-efficacy for FMS pain, and Self-efficacy for symptoms other than impaired physical functioning were identified as significant predictors of treatment and/or research protocol adherence in a MBSR treatment intervention for female fibromyalgia patients. Depressive symptomatology did not predict attendance at group treatment meetings or compliance with follow-up data collection. Emerging evidence of underlying mechanisms or physiological conditions common to depression and FMS was reviewed to develop a possible explanation for this unexpected finding. Problem-focused coping style was not a significant predictor of treatment adherence. Methodological limitations in the conceptualization and assessment of coping style were explored and seem to offer ample explanation for the inconsistency of findings in these and other coping research efforts.;These findings were incorporated in recommendations for interventions to enhance adherence to this treatment. The recommendations also feature components of motivational interviewing, coping skills development, psychoeducation, and treatment matching to integrate the findings with current research on treatment adherence techniques. Limitations of the current study were noted and addressed in recommendations for future studies. |
