The role of positive affect in relation between pain and stress, and negative affect inemployed women

Background and

Researches in the field of positive and negative affect have shown mixed results. While some have argued that positive and negative affects are two ends of a single construct، others suggested that these two concepts are independent from each other. Previous studies also support the idea that negative affect had a positive relationship with pain. According to theoretical frameworks، the aim of current research was to investigate the role of positive affect in the relationship between stress and pain، and negative affect in women with chronic pain، and possible implications of positive affect as an important psychological resource that a patient may use for coping efforts during periods of pain.

104 women in textile and carpet weaving industry suffering from osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia were participated in the survey and completed the initial assessments for demographic data and personality characteristics. They subsequently completed 10 to 12 weekly interviews regarding pain، stress، negative and positive affect. After completion of the survey using cross sectional method، data were analyzed via hierarchical multilevel modeling.

Findings showed that weekly increases in pain and stress could predict negative affect elevations. Higher weekly positive affect as well as higher average positive affect، weather directly and indirectly in interaction with pain and stress، resulted in lower levels of negative affect. In addition، increases in weekly negative affect and higher average negative affect، related to greater levels of pain in subsequent weeks. In contrast، higher levels of overall positive affect predicted lower levels of pain in subsequent weeks.

The current study emphasized that when individuals encounter pain or stress، positive and negative affects are not independent and therefore showed important role of positive affect in reducing negative affect related to pain and stress، which could be helpful for patients to bear pain and reducing the resulted tension.