2026-04-17T02:36:56Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:10256/204932025-03-20T14:18:15Zcom_2072_452955com_2072_2054col_2072_453068

The impact of a peer social support network from the perspective of women with fibromyalgia: A qualitative study Mantas Jiménez, Susana Reig Garcia, Glòria Bosch Farré, Cristina Suñer Soler, Rosa Juvinyà Canal, Dolors Pla-Vila, Núria Noell Boix, Rosa Boix Roqueta, Esther Mantas Jiménez, Susana Fibromiàlgia Fibromyalgia Malalties cròniques Chronic diseases Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic and complex disease whose management by patients requires a high level of commitment. Patient empowerment therefore represents an important milestone in chronic disease treatment and control. We explored the impact of a peer social support network from the perspective of women with fibromyalgia. Methods: A generic qualitative design was proposed for the study, for which women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia were purposefully selected. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the collected data were thematically analysed. Results: Three key themes emerged regarding the peer social support network: (1) empowerment (facilitating acceptance of the diagnosis and acting as a source of information); (2) effects on well-being and quality of life (attenuated the stigma, improved physical well-being, provided emotional support and was a socialization medium); and (3), valuable aspects (transmitted feelings of being understood and listened to and increased personal feelings of satisfaction). Conclusions: A peer social support network for women with fibromyalgia exerts positive effects on their physical, mental, and social well-being and empowers them to better manage their disease. Healthcare for women with fibromyalgia should include strategies that connect them through peer social support networks 2021-12-04 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion peer-reviewed info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.3390/ijerph182312801 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/eissn/1660-4601 Attribution 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, vol. 18, núm. 23, p. 12801 Articles publicats (D-I)