Social Support and Experimental Pain

TLDR

The study aimed to extend clinical evidence that social support lowers acute pain by experimentally testing this effect. Undergraduates performed a cold pressor task alone or with a friend/stranger who offered active support, passive support, or interaction, and pain was rated on a 10‑point scale. Both active and passive support conditions produced lower pain ratings than alone or interaction conditions, regardless of partner type.

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this experimental study was to supplement and expand on clinical research demonstrating that the provision of social support is associated with lower levels of acute pain. Methods Undergraduates (52 men and 49 women) performed the cold pressor task either alone or accompanied by a friend or stranger who provided active support, passive support, or interaction. Pain perception was measured on a 10-point scale. Results Participants in the active support and passive support conditions reported less pain than participants in the alone and interaction conditions, regardless of whether they were paired with a friend or stranger. Conclusions These data suggest that the presence of an individual who provides passive or active support reduces experimental pain.