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Clinical Trial
. 2003 Mar-Apr;65(2):276-83.
doi: 10.1097/01.psy.0000030388.62434.46.

Social support and experimental pain

Jennifer L Brown  1 , David Sheffield, Mark R Leary, Michael E Robinson
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Social support and experimental pain

Jennifer L Brown et al. Psychosom Med. 2003 Mar-Apr.

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.

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