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Catastrophizing and perceived partner responses to pain
Jennifer L Boothby1, Beverly E Thorn, Lorraine Y Overduin
1Department of Psychology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, AL 35487, USA Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, AL 35404, USA.
Pain
|May 26, 2004
Summary
Catastrophizing in chronic pain patients is linked to negative outcomes, but not partner empathy. Instead, it correlates with perceived punishing partner responses, challenging support-seeking theories.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Catastrophizing is a significant factor in chronic pain experiences.
- The communal coping theory posits catastrophizing elicits social support.
- Understanding patient-perceived partner responses is crucial for pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between catastrophizing and partner responses in chronic pain patients.
- To examine if catastrophizing elicits solicitous or punishing partner behaviors.
- To test the communal coping theory's prediction in the context of chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 62 adult chronic pain patients.
- Utilized the Catastrophizing subscale of the Cognitive Coping Strategy Inventory.
- Employed the West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory to assess pain and partner responses.
Main Results:
- Catastrophizing positively correlated with negative pain outcomes.
- Patient-perceived solicitous partner behaviors also correlated with negative pain outcomes.
- Catastrophizing was associated with perceived punishing partner responses, not solicitous ones.
Conclusions:
- Catastrophizing and perceived solicitous partner behaviors are independent predictors of negative pain outcomes.
- Catastrophizing may not be reinforced by partner empathy in chronic pain.
- Findings challenge the communal coping theory's direct application to partner support solicitation in pain.