Is the relationship between perceived stress and pain disability in chronic pelvic pain and endomentriosis patients in a partnership influenced by the quality of the relationship?

Previous research on chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis pain, as well as pain development suggests a link between perceived stress and pain. This link could provide a possibility to better understand and treat chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis patients. There is already research on dyadic coping and chronic pain that points in this direction. Based on this and the assumption that perceived social support could represent a buffer for chronic pain, the aim is to investigate whether the quality of the relationship in the patient's partnership has an influence on the connection between stress and pain disability. Relationship quality has not yet been investigated as a possible moderator of this relationship. The literature also suggests that the perspective of the patients' partners should be taken into account, which is why relationship quality, as assessed by the partners, will also be investigated as a possible predictive factor. This way, the predictors of pain disability in chronic pain and endometriosis patients can be further uncovered.