Related Experiment Videos
Theoretical perspectives on the relation between catastrophizing and pain.
M J Sullivan1, B Thorn, J A Haythornthwaite
1Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. sully@is.dal.ca
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|April 6, 2001
Summary
Catastrophizing, an exaggerated negative mental set during pain, intensifies pain and distress. Understanding its link to pain requires examining theoretical models and hierarchical levels of analysis.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Perception
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Catastrophizing amplifies pain intensity and emotional distress.
- Previous research shows a consistent link between catastrophizing and pain.
- Theoretical frameworks guiding this research area are underdeveloped.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the literature on catastrophizing and pain.
- Examine theoretical models explaining the catastrophizing-pain relationship.
- Propose a hierarchical model for understanding catastrophizing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on catastrophizing and pain.
- Evaluation of theoretical models: schema activation, appraisal, attention, and communal coping.
- Analysis from hierarchical levels, considering social and appraisal processes.
Main Results:
- Catastrophizing is consistently linked to increased pain experience and emotional distress.
- Different theoretical models offer varying explanatory strengths.
- A hierarchical approach suggests social factors influence development, while appraisal processes link to experience.
Conclusions:
- Catastrophizing significantly impacts pain perception and emotional well-being.
- Multiple theoretical models contribute to understanding this phenomenon.
- Future research should adopt a hierarchical perspective, integrating social and cognitive factors.