Journal of consulting and clinical psychology
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J Consult Clin Psychol · Jun 2002
ReviewPsychological factors in chronic pain: evolution and revolution.
Research has demonstrated the importance of psychological factors in coping, quality of life, and disability in chronic pain. Furthermore, the contributions of psychology in the effectiveness of treatment of chronic pain patients have received empirical support. The authors describe a biopsychosocial model of chronic pain and provide an update on research implicating the importance of people's appraisals of their symptoms, their ability to self-manage pain and related problems, and their fears about pain and injury that motivate efforts to avoid exacerbation of symptoms and further injury or reinjury. ⋯ The authors conclude by noting that pain has received a tremendous amount of attention culminating in the passage of a law by the U. S. Congress designating the period 2001-2011 as the "The Decade of Pain Control and Research."