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Dissertation
Examination of the applicability of the states of mind model to individuals with chronic pain
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Aug 1997
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00007259
Abstract
The States of Mind (SOM) Model (Schwartz & Garamoni, 1986) provided a framework for assessing the balance between self-reported positive and negative affects in a sample of 70 individuals with chronic pain (50% men and 50% women, mean age = 41.8, SD = 10.7). In support of the initial hypothesis it was found that the mean SOM of these patients (M =.55) is significantly different in a negative direction from the "optimal" state of the Positive Dialogue. This study also examined the relationship of SOM (affect balance) to various measures which assess adjustment to the pain experience. Six outcome measures of pain adjustment were analyzed: pain experience, four subscales from the Multidimensional Pain Inventory, (Turk & Rudy, 1987; PS Scale, Pain Severity and Suffering; I Scale, perceptions of how pain interferes with life; LC Scale, perceived life control; and GA Scale, summary scale of general activity), average pain intensity (11-point numerical scale), and medical service utilization (total sum of pain-related physician and other professional visits in the past six months). Patients in the "mildly dysfunctional", Internal Dialogue of Conflict group, had significantly better pain adjustment than patients in the "moderately dysfunctional", Negative Dialogue group, F = (6,24) =.587, p <.05. Additionally, in the entire sample, for two of the six pain measures (perceived life control and pain interference) SOMs accounted for variance above and beyond pain duration, Beck Depression scores (Beck, et al., 1979), and self-reported ratings of medical service utilization. This study found support for the applicability of the SOM model to individuals with chronic pain. Most pain research has focused on the negative emotional consequences associated with chronic pain, and in particular, depression. This study and recent research (Smith and Christensen, 1996) found that depression scores are associated, independently, with both positive and negative affect. Thus, to rely solely on the routine use of depression measures in chronic pain research can lead to a loss of more specific information, especially as it relates to positive emotionality. Perhaps the most important implication this study provides for pain research is evidence for the utility of a multidimensional measure of affectivity in the examination of the experience of chronic pain.
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Details
- Title
- Examination of the applicability of the states of mind model to individuals with chronic pain
- Creators
- Megan Phyllis Fleming
- Contributors
- Julie Landel Graham (Advisor) - Drexel University, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998)
- Awarding Institution
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 138 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (1996-1998); Clinical and Health Psychology [Historical]; School of Health Professions (1996-1998)
- Other Identifier
- 991021888866604721