The relation between pain beliefs, negative thoughts, and psychosocial functioning in chronic pain patients

Abstract

Cognitions and beliefs appear important in predicting adjustment to chronic pain. The current study examines how cognitions and beliefs are related to psychosocial functioning. One hundred and sixty-three chronic pain out-patients were assessed. Regression analyses were performed using scores on the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory and the Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain as predictor variables and responses to the West Haven Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory as criterion variables. Pain cognitions and pain beliefs were correlated. After controlling for demographics, employment status and pain severity, pain beliefs and cognitions accounted for a significant amount of the variance in general activity, pain interference, and affective distress. Negative cognitions, particularly negative self-statements, were more predictive of outcome than pain beliefs. Although these data are correlational, they provide additional support for a biopsychosocial model of adjustment to chronic pain.