Social support and experimental pain
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Jennifer L Brown1, David Sheffield, Mark R Leary
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0165, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this experimental study was to supplement and expand on clinical research demonstrating that the provision of social support is associated with lower levels of acute pain.
Methods:
Undergraduates (52 men and 49 women) performed the cold pressor task either alone or accompanied by a friend or stranger who provided active support, passive support, or interaction. Pain perception was measured on a 10-point scale.
Results:
Participants in the active support and passive support conditions reported less pain than participants in the alone and interaction conditions, regardless of whether they were paired with a friend or stranger.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that the presence of an individual who provides passive or active support reduces experimental pain.
