Couples coping with endometriosis: Dyadic associations of pain catastrophizing and partner responses to pain

Abstract

Endometriosis negatively impacts interpersonal experiences for those affected and their partners. When persons with endometriosis catastrophize (magnify, ruminate and feel helpless) about the pain, they report more pain. Two widely studied types of partner responses to pain are facilitative (i.e., encouragement, support) and negative (i.e., frustration, anger). In other pain populations, more pain catastrophizing and negative attributions about pain were associated with more negative partner responses and higher pain reports. These dyadic considerations of how partner respond to pain are unstudied among couples coping with endometriosis.