Relationship between future orientation and pain severity in fibromyalgia patients: Self-compassion as a coping mechanism

The present study examined the relationship between future orientation and fibromyalgia related pain severity in a sample of 287 adults with fibromyalgia. Specifically, we examined dimensions of self-compassion (e.g., self-kindness, isolation, mindfulness) as possible mechanisms through which future orientation might be associated with pain severity. Results of conducting a multiple mediator test with 10,000 bootstraps indicated that the significant negative association between future orientation and pain severity was mediated through one specific self-compassion dimension, namely, isolation. Some implications of the present findings for working with fibromyalgia patients are discussed.