Control beliefs, coping efforts, and adjustment to chronic pain

This study examined factors hypothesized to influence adaptation to chronic pain in 118 patients who were interviewed to gauge adjustment (psychological functioning, medical services utilization, and activity level) and several widely discussed predictors of adjustment. Control appraisals and the practice of ignoring pain, using coping self-statements, and increasing activities were positively related to psychological functioning. Control appraisals and the practice of diverting attention, ignoring pain, and using coping self-statements also yielded a positive relation to activity level, but only for those patients reporting relatively low levels of pain severity. None of the predictors were related to medical services utilization. Future research is needed to replicate these findings and help clarify when appraisals and coping strategies are most productive among patients with chronic pain.