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. 2022 Jul 22;23(2):318-325.
doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2022-0041. Print 2023 Apr 25.

Distress intolerance and pain catastrophizing as mediating variables in PTSD and chronic noncancer pain comorbidity

Gloria Sainero-Tirado  1 , Carmen Ramírez-Maestre  1   2 , Alicia E López-Martínez  1   2 , Rosa Esteve  1   2
Affiliations

Distress intolerance and pain catastrophizing as mediating variables in PTSD and chronic noncancer pain comorbidity

Gloria Sainero-Tirado et al. Scand J Pain. .

Abstract

Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain comorbidity. However, there is a lack of research on the psychological variables that might explain their co-occurrence. We investigated the mediating role of distress intolerance and pain catastrophizing in this relationship.

Methods: A moderated mediation model was tested. The sample comprised 114 individuals with chronic noncancer pain (90 women and 24 men; mean age, of 60.04 years [SD=9.76]).

Results: Catastrophizing had a significant effect on PTSD. Distress intolerance mediated catastrophizing and PTSD, and pain intensity moderated this relationship.

Conclusions: New insights are provided into the psychological variables that may explain PTSD and chronic noncancer pain comorbidity.

Keywords: chronic noncancer pain; distress intolerance; pain catastrophizing; pain intensity; posttraumatic stress disorder.

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