Body appreciation as a protective factor in women with fibromyalgia: an examination of associations between pain perception, social comparison and psychological distress.

Objectives: While symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) and psychological distress are directly linked, indirect effects are also apparent. The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model for the effect of FM on women's psychological distress and identify possible protective and risk factors.

Methods: This study comprised of total of 293 women aged 20-68 (M= 34.