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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

Published on: October 3, 2020

Dispositional optimism and coping with pain.

K Bargiel-Matusiewicz¹, A Krzyszkowska

¹Faculty of Psychology, Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland. k.matusiewicz@op.pl

European Journal of Medical Research

|February 17, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Dispositional optimism positively influences chronic pain coping strategies, including pain control beliefs and attention diversion. Optimism enhances patients' psychophysical comfort by improving pain management.

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

Investigating Pain-Related Avoidance Behavior using a Robotic Arm-Reaching Paradigm

Published on: October 3, 2020

Area of Science:

Psychology
Health Psychology
Pain Management

Background:

Chronic pain affects millions globally, necessitating effective coping mechanisms.
Dispositional optimism, a personality trait, may influence how individuals manage pain.
Understanding this relationship can inform therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the association between dispositional optimism and chronic pain coping.
To investigate the link between life orientation and pain control beliefs.
To explore the relationship between optimism/pessimism and coping strategy selection.

Main Methods:

Utilized the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) to assess dispositional optimism.
Employed the Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire (BPCQ).
Administered the Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ).

Main Results:

Optimism positively correlated with internal pain control locus (r=0.6, P<0.01), coping (r=0.38, P<0.05), attention diversion (r=0.93, P<0.01), and behavioral activity (r=0.82, P<0.01).
Optimism showed a negative correlation with catastrophizing (r=-0.28, P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Dispositional optimism is crucial in developing effective chronic pain coping mechanisms.
Optimism contributes to improved psychophysical comfort for patients with chronic pain.
Findings support the role of optimism in pain management and patient well-being.