The role of psychological factors on prediction of disturbance in daily activities among patients with chronic pain

It’s important to study chronic pain as a comprehensive physical problem. Studies demonstrated emotions and regulation of them, cognitive components, self-efficacy and inflexible pattern of behavior can affect the pain severity and disturbance in daily activities. The aim of this research is to determine predictive variables on disturbance in daily activities in patients with chronic pain.

In this descriptive-correlational study, a sample of 345 patients with chronic pain who referred to pain, rheumatoid and acupuncture clinics (Mashhad-Iran) was selected through convenient method. The patients completed these questionnaires: Pain Inflexibility (PIPS), Emotion Regulation (ER), Attachment Styles (RQ), Pain Self-efficacy (PSEQ) and multi facet pain questionnaire. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson coefficient, step by step regression and SPSS software version 24.

The relation of predictive variables- attachment styles, emotion regulation (reappraisal and suppression) self-efficacy and inflexibility-with disturbance in daily function was significant (P=0.01). Regression analysis showed that inflexibility, reappraisal, secure attachment and self-efficacy are the best predictors of disturbance daily activities in patients with chronic pain.

Based on the results, the predictors explain 34% of variance of disturbance daily activities. So, it’s essential to consider psychological variables in planning of therapeutic intervention in patients with chronic pain