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. 2012 Feb;52(3):401-405.
doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2011.10.040.

Positive Traits Linked to Less Pain through Lower Pain Catastrophizing

Anna Hood  1 , Kim Pulvers, Janet Carrillo, Gina Merchant, Marie Thomas
Affiliations

Positive Traits Linked to Less Pain through Lower Pain Catastrophizing

Anna Hood et al. Pers Individ Dif. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

The present study examined the association between positive traits, pain catastrophizing, and pain perceptions. We hypothesized that pain catastrophizing would mediate the relationship between positive traits and pain. First, participants (n = 114) completed the Trait Hope Scale, the Life Orientation Test- Revised, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Participants then completed the experimental pain stimulus, a cold pressor task, by submerging their hand in a circulating water bath (0º Celsius) for as long as tolerable. Immediately following the task, participants completed the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ-SF). Pearson correlation found associations between hope and pain catastrophizing (r = -.41, p < .01) and MPQ-SF scores (r = -.20, p < .05). Optimism was significantly associated with pain catastrophizing (r = -.44, p < .01) and MPQ-SF scores (r = -.19, p < .05). Bootstrapping, a non-parametric resampling procedure, tested for mediation and supported our hypothesis that pain catastrophizing mediated the relationship between positive traits and MPQ-SF pain report. To our knowledge, this investigation is the first to establish that the protective link between positive traits and experimental pain operates through lower pain catastrophizing.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pain Catastrophizing as a mediator of Trait Hope and Total Score on the MPQ-SF (Pain Perception).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pain Catastrophizing as a mediator of Dispositional Optimism and Total Score on the MPQ-SF (Pain Perception)
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