Based on learned helplessness theory, thisresearch evaluated a model in which helplessness andperceived control (internality) were hypothesized tomediate the effects of pain and disability(quality-of-well-being)on depression and pain behavior in 122participants with fibromyalgia. Path analytic proceduresrevealed that helplessness partially mediated theeffects of pain and disability on depression, and fullymediated the effects ofpain on self-reported painbehavior. Disability was an independent predictor ofboth self-reported and observed pain behavior.Beliefs ininternality were unrelated to depression and painbehavior measures, and thus did not serve in amediational capacity. The findings underscore theimportance of the helplessness construct infibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome of unknownetiology.