Abstract

TRUYOLS TABERNER, M.ª Magdalena et al. Psychological aspects relevant to chronic pain research and treatment. Clínica y Salud [online]. 2008, vol.19, n.3, pp.295-320. ISSN 2174-0550.

Pain is currently understood as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon where the individual has not only a perceptive experience but also an affective experience which is influenced by a number of interactive elements - whether biological, psychological or socio-cultural (Melzack and Wall, 1965; Melzack and Casey, 1968). Therefore, cognitive and emotional variables such as anxiety, sadness and rage seem to better explain individual differences in pain perception and tolerance. Likewise, lack of emotional expressiveness is clearly related to a higher painful experience. On the other hand, coping strategies leading to (active) instrumental actions, inner resources, and the search of social support are associated to a better daily fit and functioning, whereas lack of pain control beliefs, low perceived self-efficacy belief and recurrent catastrophic thoughts are associated to a higher inability, unfit and lower fit.

Keywords : Pain; Anxiety; Sadness; Rage; Social Support; Self-efficacy.

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