The Psychological Well-Being, Catastrophizing, and Quality of Life of Among Women Diagnosed with Endometriosis

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, often causing significant suffering, delayed diagnosis, and limited knowledge about coping strategies, particularly regarding quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being (PWB). The current research aimed to (1) examine differences in QoL and PWB between women diagnosed with endometriosis and healthy controls and (2) investigate the relationship between pain catastrophizing and their QoL and PWB. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study included a total of 170 women, with 89 diagnosed with endometriosis and 81 healthy controls. Data were collected using an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic details, the Short Form Health Survey-QoL, PWB, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale, completed anonymously by the participants. Results: A significant difference was found in the QoL between healthy women and those diagnosed with endometriosis, with healthy women reporting significantly higher QoL scores (mean [M] = 4.1, standard deviation [SD] = 0.56) compared with women with endometriosis (M = 2.6, SD = 0.8) (t = -14.06, ***p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in PWB between the two groups. Furthermore, a moderate negative correlation was observed between catastrophizing and QoL (r = -0.548, **p < 0.001), indicating that higher levels of catastrophizing were associated with lower QoL. Similarly, a moderate negative correlation was found between catastrophizing and PWB (r = -0.279, **p = 0.008). Conclusion and Recommendations: Women with endometriosis experience worse QoL compared with healthy women, with pain catastrophizing negatively impacting their PWB and QoL. Interventions should focus on addressing pain perceptions and providing psychosocial support to improve their overall well-being and QoL.