The differential effects of gratitude and sleep on psychological distress in patients with chronic pain

J Health Psychol. 2013 Feb;18(2):263-71. doi: 10.1177/1359105312439733. Epub 2012 Mar 12.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the possible cross-sectional mediating role of sleep in the relationship of gratitude with depression and anxiety in patients with chronic pain. A total of 224 patients with chronic pain completed structured questionnaires assessing chronic pain, depression and anxiety symptoms, gratitude, and sleep disturbances. Results of multiple regression analyses yielded a modest mediating effect for sleep on the gratitude-depression link whereas a stronger mediating effect was found for sleep on the gratitude-anxiety link. These data show much of the effect of gratitude on depression was direct whereas sleep exerted a stronger mediating effect on the gratitude-anxiety link.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / physiopathology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • China
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology
  • Chronic Pain / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult