Personal relative deprivation associated with functional disorders via stress: An examination of fibromyalgia and gastrointestinal symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Personal relative deprivation is a negative social comparison process typified by self-comparison, negative appraisal, and resultant negative emotionality. Personal relative deprivation has been associated with poorer physical and mental health in several domains. It has been hypothesized that the deprivation-health link operates through a stress pathway. Stress has been specifically implicated in the onset and maintenance of functional disorders, including fibromyalgia and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Despite the theoretical links between personal deprivation, stress, and functional disorders, researchers have not assessed relationships between these variables.

Methods

We recruited community participants (n = 517; 54.9% female) to examine whether person

SUBMITTER: Beshai S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5744949 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature