Maltreatment and self-reconstruction in constructivist therapy for fibromyalgia

Abstract

Interest in psychological treatments in Fibromyalgia (FM) has increased lately. Little evidences are available about whether having experienced maltreatment affects psychotherapy outcome. Our aim is to investigate the effect of maltreatment on outcome during constructivist therapy in FM. 20 women were assessed before and after therapy using Repertory Grid Technique and clinical measures of which 13 had suffered maltreatment. Those with a history of maltreatment had higher levels of symptoms and a negative construction of others at pre-treatment assessment in comparison to those with no report of maltreatment. After therapy, only those who had been maltreated reduced symptoms and achieved a more integrated construction of others. Maltreatment seemed to affect differently the outcome in constructivist therapy in FM.