Journal of behavioral medicine
-
This study evaluated the relation of particular aspects of pain-related anxiety to characteristics of chronic pain distress in a sample of 76 individuals with low-back pain. Consistent with contemporary cognitive-behavioral models of chronic pain, the cognitive dimension of the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS; McCracken, Zayfert, and Gross, 1992, Pain 50:67-73) was uniquely predictive of cognitive-affective aspects of chronic pain, including affective distress, perceived lack of control, and pain severity. In contrast, the escape and avoidance dimension of the PASS was more predictive of behavioral interference in life activities. Overall, the findings are discussed within the context of identifying particular pain-related anxiety mechanisms contributing to differential aspects of pain-related distress and clinical impairment.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effects of dyadic strength and coping styles on psychological distress in couples faced with prostate cancer.
Dyadic adjustment and coping styles have been shown to predict levels of psychological distress following cancer diagnoses. This study examined the relationship between coping and distress in couples faced with prostate cancer, considering dyadic functioning as a third variable that potentially moderated or mediated the relationship. To investigate its influence on the success of patients' and spouses' coping efforts, both moderational and mediational models were tested using couples' composite dyadic adjustment scores. ⋯ Despite maladaptive coping, patients that were members of stronger dyads reported less distress than those in more dysfunctional relationships. Findings suggest that the relationship between coping and distress depends on the quality of dyadic functioning. Being part of a strong dyad may serve as a buffering factor, implying the need for psychosocial intervention for couples in maladjusted relationships.
-
Comparative Study
Intentional and unintentional nonadherence: a study of decision making.
Nonadherence to medical regimens is a major problem in health care. Distinguishing between intentional nonadherence (missing/altering doses to suit one's needs) and unintentional nonadherence (forgetting to take medication) may help in understanding nonadherence. ⋯ Unintentional nonadherence is less strongly associated with decision balance, and more so with demographics. The research highlights the importance of (a) treating intentional and unintentional nonadherence as separate entities and (b) assessing individuals' idiosyncratic beliefs when considering intentional nonadherence.
-
The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III (FPQ-III) is a 30-item self-report measure designed recently to assess fears about pain across three pain dimensions: severe, minor, and medical. We conducted three studies to replicate the factor structure of the FPQ-III and examine several psychometric properties of reliability and validity in nonclinical samples. A principal-axis with oblique rotation analysis provided strong empirical support for the three-factor solution of the FPQ-III (Study 1). ⋯ In Study 3, data from adult samples were analyzed for the adequacy of internal consistency and criterion-related validity of the FPQ-III. The FPQ-III total and scales showed high levels of reliability estimates across the three studies. Limitations and future research with the FPQ-III are discussed.
-
We examined whether the emotional response to hip arthroplasty predicted functional recovery after controlling for preoperative function and surgical trauma. Mood and fatigue were measured in 102 consecutive patients preoperatively and 3 days postoperatively. Time of achievement of functional milestones indicated recovery in hospital, and functional status was measured preoperatively and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. ⋯ Recovery at follow-up was slower in patients with poorer preoperative function and with greater anxiety and fatigue, but the apparent influence of anxiety was explained by its association with preoperative function and fatigue. Whereas short-term recovery is predicted by surgical trauma, long-term recovery is predicted by preexisting function and the emotional response to surgery. However, the influence of the emotional response is small and the important aspect of emotion is fatigue rather than anxiety.