Background: Past studies indicate that both Pain Catastrophizing (PC) and Psychological Acceptance (PA) independently predict psychological distress in patients with chronic pain. However, the ACT model has questioned that PC always predicts psychological distress. Theoretically, it is possible to stay relatively well in the face of PC thoughts if the person has PA skills. This study examined whether PA moderates the relationship of PC with psychological distress. It was hypothesized that the relationship between PC and psychological distress would be stronger in patients with low- than in patients with high-PA. Methods: Participants were 116 patients with chronic pain (63.8% females; Mean age = 65.4 yrs, SD = 12.5) recruited at the Santa Chiara Hospital of Pisa (Italy). Patients completed self-report measures of PC, PA and psychological distress. Results: Higher PC and lower PA scores were associated with higher psychological distress. The interaction term (PC x PA) was significant, suggesting that the effect of PC on distress depends on PA levels. Indeed, the relationship between PC and distress was stronger in patients with low-PA when compared to patients with high-PA. Conclusion: Findings support PA as a moderator of the relationship between PC and psychological distress, hence suggesting that PA might buffer the negative effects of PC on depression and anxiety in chronic pain patients. These findings are in line with one of the main postulates of the ACT model suggesting that it is not the content of cognitions that is most important, but instead how the person relates to her thoughts.
The buffering effect of psychological acceptance on the relationship between catastrophizing and psychological distress in patients with chronic pain
Bernini O.;Berrocal C.
2023-01-01
Abstract
Background: Past studies indicate that both Pain Catastrophizing (PC) and Psychological Acceptance (PA) independently predict psychological distress in patients with chronic pain. However, the ACT model has questioned that PC always predicts psychological distress. Theoretically, it is possible to stay relatively well in the face of PC thoughts if the person has PA skills. This study examined whether PA moderates the relationship of PC with psychological distress. It was hypothesized that the relationship between PC and psychological distress would be stronger in patients with low- than in patients with high-PA. Methods: Participants were 116 patients with chronic pain (63.8% females; Mean age = 65.4 yrs, SD = 12.5) recruited at the Santa Chiara Hospital of Pisa (Italy). Patients completed self-report measures of PC, PA and psychological distress. Results: Higher PC and lower PA scores were associated with higher psychological distress. The interaction term (PC x PA) was significant, suggesting that the effect of PC on distress depends on PA levels. Indeed, the relationship between PC and distress was stronger in patients with low-PA when compared to patients with high-PA. Conclusion: Findings support PA as a moderator of the relationship between PC and psychological distress, hence suggesting that PA might buffer the negative effects of PC on depression and anxiety in chronic pain patients. These findings are in line with one of the main postulates of the ACT model suggesting that it is not the content of cognitions that is most important, but instead how the person relates to her thoughts.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
