Journal of behavioral medicine
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Greater dispositional optimism has been related to less severe pain; however, whether optimism is associated with endogenous pain modulation has not yet been examined. The beneficial effects of dispositional optimism often vary according to cultural dynamics. Thus, assessing optimism-pain relationships across different ethnic groups is warranted. ⋯ All participants completed a validated measure of dispositional optimism. Greater reported optimism was significantly associated with enhanced CPM, and the strength of this association did not vary according to individuals' ethnic background. These findings suggest that an optimistic disposition may potentiate endogenous pain inhibition.