Chronic pain patients frequently report that weather conditions affect their pain; however, no standardized measures of weather sensitivity have been developed. We describe the development and use of the Weather and Pain Questionnaire (WPQ) which assess patient sensitivity to meteorologic variables defined by the National Weather Service (e.g., temperature, precipitation). Seventy chronic pain patients (59% females) with an average age of 43 years completed the WPQ. The instrument was revised using factor analysis to produce a Weather Sensitivity Index (WSI) (48% of variance) with high internal consistency (0.93) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.89). Reporting patterns suggested that patients could reliably identify which meteorologic variables influenced their pain but could not reliably determine which physical symptoms were consistently affected. The most frequently reported meteorologic variables which affect pain complaint were temperature (87%) and humidity (77%). The most frequently reported physical complaints associated with the weather were joint and muscle aches (82% and 79%, respectively). Patients labeled as being 'weather sensitive', defined by greater than median scores on the WPQ, reported significantly greater pain intensity, greater chronicity of pain problems, and more difficulties sleeping than patients with low scores on the WPQ. No differences in gender, education level, disability status, or global psychological distress were found. Results are discussed with respect to physiological and psychological mediating variables.

Based primarily on anecdotal evidence, patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) have often been suspected of having a high degree of psychosocial disturbance prior to the onset of symptoms as well as in reaction to the disorder. In the present study, patients presenting to a pain center with RSD were compared to patients with low back (LBP) and headache pain (HAP) on a variety of self-reported demographic, behavioral, pain, and mood measures. Typical of most patients experiencing chronic pain, all three groups demonstrated elevations indicative of pain, emotional distress, and behavioral disturbance. However, although the RSD patient group reported the highest level of pain intensity, the most employment disruption, and contained the highest percentage of patients receiving financial compensation, this same group paradoxically reported less emotional distress on the Symptom Checklist-90R than did LBP and HAP patients. This paradox may be due to the lesser chronicity of the RSD patients as well as to their apparently experiencing a more sympathetic response from doctors, employers, and insurance carriers than their LBP and HAP counterparts. On balance, the present data do not support the hypothesis the RSD patients, relative to other pain patients, are uniquely disturbed in psychosocial functioning.

Increased Ss' self‐reported daydreaming as measured by the Daydreaming Frequency scale of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. Thirty‐nine female undergraduates were assigned to one of four treatment groups. The treatments consisted of being presented with either a positive or neutral talk about the value of daydreaming and training vs. no training in the use of imagery. In addition, each S completed questionnaires that assessed level of depression, control of imagery, locus of control, and attitudes toward daydreaming. There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in daydreaming from pretest to posttest. A 6‐month follow‐up of 32 of the 39 Ss indicated that the increase was still maintained (p<0.05). Changes in the responses to the questionnaires after the treatment procedure were also reflective of a more positive approach to daydreaming.

Research has been reported which supports the psychometric properties of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. The purpose was to confirm and extend this research as well as investigate the interrelationships between daydreaming and depression, locus of control, and visual imagery. This inventory (7 scales), Beck Depression Inventory, Rotter Locus of Control Scale (I-E), and Gordon's Test of Visual Imagery Control were administered to 100 female undergraduates. A sample of 39 subjects were retested on the scales an average of 6.8 wk. after the first administration. Correlations with Imaginal Processes Inventory and test-retest data were consistent with Giambra's (1977) findings for males and support the reliability and generalizability of the scores. Other results include significant intercorrelations between the various scales of this inventory and the others. Implications for an understanding of the process of depression are discussed.

Sought to increase coed undergraduates self‐reported daydreaming. Six‐hundred twenty‐five Ss completed the Daydreaming Frequency scale of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. Sixty low daydreamers, 30 male and 30 female were selected to participate. The 60 Ss' also completed six additional scales from the Imaginal Processes Inventory and the Verbalizer‐Visualizer Questionnaire. Ss were assigned to one of three groups: a talk about daydreaming emphasizing its adaptive qualities, and attention control or a no treatment control. Results of a three factor (group, sex, and time) ANOVA with repeated measures on the time factor indicated that the group hearing the talk significantly (p < 0.05) increased their self reported daydreaming from pre to posttest. There were no significant changes for either control group (F < 1). There was also no relationship found between changes in daydreaming frequency and ones' initial attitude toward daydreaming. Results suggest that providing undergraduates with positive information about daydreaming leads to an increased frequency of self‐reported daydreaming. Three alternate explanations of the results are discussed.