Abstract
We explored the effects of uncontrollability and subjective helplessness (SHL) on perceived pain intensity (PPI) in 64 healthy
men randomly assigned to groups receiving controllable (C) or uncontrollable (UC) painful electric skin stimuli. SHL (d = 1.43), perceived unpleasantness (d = 1.03), and PPI (d = 0.58) were more pronounced in the UC group than in the C group. Multiple regression and bootstrap analyses for testing
mediation showed a direct relationship between stressor uncontrollability and PPI (r = 0.28; P < .05), which disappeared when adjusted for the SHL increase (β = 0.49, P < .001). SHL changes were associated with objective uncontrollability (r = 0.59, P < .001). PPI and unpleasantness were positively correlated (r = 0.37, P < .01). The study suggests that the effect of objective controllability on pain intensity ratings is mediated mainly by ratings
of SHL.
men randomly assigned to groups receiving controllable (C) or uncontrollable (UC) painful electric skin stimuli. SHL (d = 1.43), perceived unpleasantness (d = 1.03), and PPI (d = 0.58) were more pronounced in the UC group than in the C group. Multiple regression and bootstrap analyses for testing
mediation showed a direct relationship between stressor uncontrollability and PPI (r = 0.28; P < .05), which disappeared when adjusted for the SHL increase (β = 0.49, P < .001). SHL changes were associated with objective uncontrollability (r = 0.59, P < .001). PPI and unpleasantness were positively correlated (r = 0.37, P < .01). The study suggests that the effect of objective controllability on pain intensity ratings is mediated mainly by ratings
of SHL.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9382-0
- Authors
- Matthias J. Müller, Vitos Clinics for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Psychotherapy Giessen and Marburg, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Giessen, Licher Straße 106, 35394 Giessen, Germany
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715