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Review
. 2013 May;17(5):330.
doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0330-2.

The role of positive traits and pain catastrophizing in pain perception

Kim Pulvers  1 , Anna Hood
Affiliations
Review

The role of positive traits and pain catastrophizing in pain perception

Kim Pulvers et al. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 May.

Abstract

A variety of biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence pain. This article focuses on two distinct, but connected, psychological factors--positive personality traits and pain catastrophizing--and their link with pain perception in healthy and clinical populations. First, we review the protective link between positive personality traits, such as optimism, hope, and self-efficacy, and pain perception. Second, we provide evidence of the well-established relationship between pain catastrophizing and pain perception and other related outcomes. Third, we outline the inverse relationship between positive traits and pain catastrophizing, and offer a model that explains the inverse link between positive traits and pain perception through lower pain catastrophizing. Finally, we discuss clinical practice recommendations based on the aforementioned relationships.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Kim Pulvers declares she has no conflict of interest. Anna Hood declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Conceptual model of relationship between positive traits, pain catastrophizing, and pain perception
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