The communal coping model of pain catastrophising: Clinical and research implications.

Abstract

Pain catastrophising has been broadly defined as an exaggerated negative orientation to actual or anticipated pain comprising elements of rumination, magnification, and helplessness. Hundreds of studies have documented associations between pain catastrophising and adverse pain outcomes, including heightened pain intensity, mental health problems, and disability. This article contrasts different conceptual models that have been advanced to explain how pain catastrophising might impact on pain outcomes. It is argued that traditional "intrapersonal" models of pain catastrophising are overly simplistic and lacking in explanatory power. Research is reviewed showing that interpersonal variables and social context are central determinants of the relation between pain catastrophising and pain outcomes. Discussion addresses the clinical implications of research showing that interpersonal factors underlie the relation between pain catastrophising and adverse pain outcomes. Discussion also addresses the implications of research on the interpersonal dimensions of pain catastrophising for theories of the psychology of pain.

Feeling hurt: advances in the social psychology of pain

“…However, the present study also provides insight into the potential emergence or maintenance of maladaptive pain responses, such as pain catastrophizing (Sullivan, 2012;Sullivan, Martel, Tripp, Savard, & Crombez, 2006;Sullivan et al, 2001). While there may be immediate benefits for communicating pain when there are more salient social resources, over time these social resources may become tapped, or unilateral signals may be misunderstood.…”

“…While there may be immediate benefits for communicating pain when there are more salient social resources, over time these social resources may become tapped, or unilateral signals may be misunderstood. This can lead to a mismatch between pain communication and responder support which can result in suboptimal care experiences and poorer outcomes (Cano, Leong, Heller, & Lutz, 2009;Hadjistavropoulos et al, 2011;Prkachin & Craig, 1995;Sullivan, 2012).…”

“…Of course, the present work is not the first to take a biopsychosocial approach to pain (see, for example, Fordyce, 1976;Fordyce, Fowler, & DeLateur, 1968;Gatchel et al, 2007;Hadjistavropoulos et al, 2011;Sullivan, 2012;A. C. de C. Williams & Craig, 2016).…”

“…If valued groups allow us to broadcast our pain, the effectiveness of these pain messages in eliciting support is a logical next step. Research into pain catastrophisation has shown there can be negative psychosocial consequences to magnifying and ruminating on our pain (Sullivan, 2012;Sullivan et al, 1995), including increased risk of pain chronicity. Following replication, there may be value in extending this research into ecologically valid settings outside the laboratory.…”

“…In addition to high-resolution discoveries of nociceptor characterisation (e.g., Julius & Basbaum, 2001) and functional description of pathways and neural networks associated with pain (C. R. Chapman, Tuckett, & Song, 2008;Price, 2000;Wager et al, 2004;Woo et al, 2014), substantial research has expanded on the psychological and social underpinnings of pain, including delineation of sensory and affective components of pain (Fernandez & Turk, 1992); extensive elaboration of psychological antecedents, modulators, and consequences of pain (e.g., Krahe, Springer, Weinman, & Fotopoulou, 2013;Price, Hirsh, & Robinson, 2008;Riva et al, 2011;Sullivan, 2012;Sullivan et al, 1995;Tracey, 2010). This thesis has brought together the lessons from prior work and set them forth into new directions, in the hope of meaningfully progressing our understanding of pain.…”