Examinations of chronic pain and affect relationships: applications of a dynamic model of affect

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2001 Oct;69(5):786-95. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.69.5.786.

Abstract

Two studies of the relationship between pain and negative affect are presented in this article: a study of weekly fluctuations in pain and negative affect among those with arthritis and a study of daily fluctuations in pain and negative affect for participants with fibromyalgia. The roles of positive affect and mood clarity (or the ability to distinguish between different emotions) in modifying the size of the relationship between pain and negative affect were examined in both studies as a means of testing the predictions of a dynamic model of affect regulation. In both studies, the presence of positive affect reduced the size of the relationship between pain and negative affect. Also, for arthritis participants with greater mood clarity, there was less overlap in ratings of negative and positive affective states.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect*
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / diagnosis*
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Measurement
  • Surveys and Questionnaires