Abstract
Emotional states have been shown to influence resilient behavior in conditions of
loss, bereavement, and stress. Positive affect has been associated with better health
outcomes, including chronic pain. Extant research suggests that positive emotions
help buffer against stress, suggesting that positive emotions provide an important
protective and adaptive significance. This study examined the role of positive versus
negative emotions in the association between pain-related coping efficacy and interference
with social functioning in a sample of chronic pain patients. Mediational analyses
revealed that positive emotions partially mediated the relationship between control
and coping efficacy and pain-related interference in social activities. Negative emotions
were not found to mediate this relationship. Implications for research on the role
of positive emotions in chronic pain are discussed.
Perspective
The findings from this study demonstrate the mediating role of positive affect in
explaining the relationship between pain-related coping efficacy and interference
in social functioning in a sample of chronic pain patients. This could potentially
assist clinicians who seek to enhance coping efficacy and social functioning in pain
patients.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 26, 2010
Accepted:
February 26,
2010
Received in revised form:
February 17,
2010
Received:
September 10,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
