Beyond Pain Intensity: Development and Validation of the Multidimensional Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (M-CPSES)

To develop de novo the Multidimensional Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (M-CPSES), a brief multidimensional measure of self-efficacy in chronic pain, and to examine its psychometric properties in adults with chronic pain recruited from a university-affiliated neurosurgery service.

Participants (N=152) completed an initial item pool developed in Mandarin Chinese on the basis of Bandura's self-efficacy theory, Corbin and Strauss's self-management framework, clinician consultation, patient-informed refinement, and expert review. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on the first 100 participants, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted in the full sample, which included the EFA subsample.

CFA supported a second-order, four-factor, nine-item model representing medical, daily life, emotional, and cognitive domains, with good model fit. Reliability for the total score was good (Cronbach's α=.84; test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient=.73). Correlations were consistent with theoretical expectations, with positive associations with general self-efficacy, self-esteem, and physical functioning and negative associations with depression, anxiety, and pain intensity. Known-groups validity was supported by lower scores in individuals with severe pain than in those with mild to moderate pain.

The M-CPSES provides a concise multidimensional assessment that includes the often-overlooked cognitive aspect of chronic pain self-management. The findings support its potential utility for screening, individualized care planning, and outcome monitoring in Mandarin-speaking adults with chronic pain receiving specialty care.