The German Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C) - psychometric analysis and evaluation of the construct

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, adapted for children (PCS-C) by Crombez et al. (2003), was translated into German (SKS-D) and evaluated regarding its factorial structure, its reliability and validity. The association of catastrophizing with various pain characteristics and disability measures was examined as well as its association to neighboring constructs.

The paper-and-pencil version of the SKS-D was used in two different samples of children and adolescents. Analyses were conducted on a subgroup of participants from an epidemiological sample [n=898; age: M=12.9 (SD=1.4)] who had experienced monthly headaches in the 6-months period before and a clinical sample [n=60; age: M=12.6 (SD=0.8)] seeking treatment for recurrent headaches.

Exploratory factor analysis (PCA) suggested a one-factor model in contrast to the 3-factor model suggested by Crombez et al. (2003). The unidimensional scale showed distinct homogeneity and satisfying reliability. The clinical sample showed significantly higher scores than the epidemiological group. Also girls scored higher than boys. The catastrophizing explained a considerable amount of variance in pain and disability parameters in both samples thus underlining its validity. The psychological variables internalising, anxiety sensitivity and somatosensory amplification showed significant small to moderate associations with pain catastrophizing and also with pain and disability. After controlling for the above mentioned psychological variables, catastrophizing still yielded an independent contribution to the explanation of variance in pain and disability parameters.

The PCS-C in its German form is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing catastrophizing in children with recurrent pain, in particular headache, in the age of 10-16 years. Pain catastrophizing is suggested to be assessed especially in pediatric pain patients as it is a significant moderator of pain and disability. In children with a distinct tendency to catastrophize cognitive restructuring should become a target of pediatric pain therapy, as a reduction of catastrophizing cognitions may indirectly help to ameliorate pain and disability.