Psychological structure of chronic pain

Author(s): Blahus, P., Knotkova, H.

Journal/Book: Stud Psychol. 1997; 39: Dubravska Cesta 9, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 813 64. Slovak Acad Sciences Inst Experimental Psychology. 27-38.

Abstract: The psychological mechanism of chronic pain involves ''...a series of mental events that occur between the presentation of a noxious stimulus and the behavioral response'' (Jerome, 1993). We suppose seven consecutive subsystems of exposition, transmission and transformation of nociceptive information: Perceptual Field; Nociceptive Processes, Pain Feeling, Cognitive Processing, Affective-Motivation Processes, Responses and Behavior, and Responses and Behavior of Others (Knotek, in press; Knotek, Knotkova, in press). N = 67 rheumatic inpatients (M = 49.38, SD = 7.59 years) suffering from pain minimally for one year, were investigated by Paintester (radiant heat stimulator), visual analogue scales for measurement of Pain Intensity, Unpleasantness of Pain, and Suffering, and questionnaires MPQ SF, PBAPI, STAI, STAXI, BDI SF, and Activity 5. Six factors, corresponding with Nociceptive Processes (two factors), Pain Feeling, Cognitive Processing, Affective-Motivation Processes, and Responses and Behavior were extracted by exploratory factor analysis (OBLIMIN). Factors Pain Feeling, Affective-Motivation Processes, and Responses and Behavior explain most of the information of the factor matrix. The hierarchic hypothesis with the G factor (loading mostly affective and social-behavior variables), Sl (Pain and Affective-Motivation Processes) subdivided on S11 (Pain Feeling) and S12 (Affective-Motivation Processes), and other S factors, identical with factors of exploratory analysis, were confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis (orthogonal solution, GEFA).

Note: Article Knotek P, Univ Hosp V Motole, Ctr Pain Management & Res, V Uvalu 84, Prague 15000 5, CZECH REPUBLIC

Keyword(s): chronic pain; cognitions; affects; behavior; factor analysis; LOW-BACK-PAIN; BELIEFS; INTENSITY

Zurück | Weiter