Unique Contributions of Acceptance and Catastrophizing on Chronic Pain Adaptation

Craner, Julia R.; Sperry, Jeannie A.; Koball, Afton M.; Morrison, Eleshia J.; Gilliam, Wesley P.

doi:10.1007/s12529-017-9646-3

Cited by 44Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsPediatric Pain Management Techniques

Unique Contributions of Acceptance and Catastrophizing on Chronic Pain Adaptation

Craner, Julia R., Sperry, Jeannie A., Koball, Afton M., Morrison, Eleshia J., Gilliam, Wesley P.·2017·International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

DOI 10.1007/s12529-017-9646-3

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Abstract

Purpose Pain catastrophizing and acceptance represent distinct but interrelated constructs that influence adaptation to chronic pain. Clinical and laboratory research suggest that higher levels of catastrophizing and lower levels of acceptance predict worse functioning; however, findings have been mixed regarding which specific outcomes are associated with each construct. The current study evaluates these constructs in relation to pain, affect, and functioning in a treatment-seeking clinical sample.Method Participants included 249 adult patients who were admitted to an interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation program and completed measures of pain and related psychological and physical functioning.Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that pain catastrophizing and acceptance both significantly, but differentially, predicted depressive symptoms and pain-related negative affect. Only pain catastrophizing was a unique predictor of perceived pain severity, whereas acceptance uniquely predicted pain interference and performance in everyday living activities. There were no significant interactions between acceptance and catastrophizing, suggesting no moderation effects.Conclusion Findings from the current study indicate a pattern of results similar to prior studies in which greater levels of catastrophic thinking is associated with higher perceived pain intensity whereas greater levels of acceptance relate to better functioning in activities despite chronic pain. However, in the current study, both acceptance and catastrophizing were associated with negative affect. These relationships were significant beyond the effects of clinical and demographic variables. These results support the role of pain acceptance as an important contribution to chronic pain-related outcomes alongside the well-established role of pain catastrophizing. Results are limited by reliance on self-report data, cross-sectional design, and low racial/ethnic diversity.

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Both CBT and ACT interventions can improve a person's quality of life, pain acceptance, functioning, and self-efficacy while also having the potential to reduce pain, depressive symptoms, and distress.
“Both types of interventions can improve a person’s quality of life, pain acceptance, functioning, and self-efficacy while also having the potential to reduce pain, depressive symptoms, and distress [10-18].”
From A User-Centered Approach to an Evidence-Based Electronic Health Pain Management Intervention for People With Chronic Pain: Design and Development of EPIO (2020) · cites this paper as [10]
CBT- and ACT-based psychological interventions have been shown to be effective, improving quality of life, depressive symptoms, and pain acceptance for people living with chronic pain.
“CBT- and ACT-based psychological interventions have been shown to be effective, improving quality of life, depressive symptoms, and pain acceptance for people living with chronic pain [10,11,13,14,16,66,67].”
From A User-Centered Approach to an Evidence-Based Electronic Health Pain Management Intervention for People With Chronic Pain: Design and Development of EPIO (2020) · cites this paper as [10]

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A User-Centered Approach to an Evidence-Based Electronic Health Pain Management Intervention for People With Chronic Pain: Design and Development of EPIO
Ledel Solem, I. K., Varsi, C., Eide, H., Kristjansdottir, O. B., Børøsund, E., Schreurs, K. M. G., Waxenberg, L. B., Weiss, K. E., Morrison, E. J., Haaland-Øverby, M., et al. (2020) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/15889 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
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The role of pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance in performance-based and self-reported physical functioning in individuals with fibromyalgia and obesity.
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The behavioral inhibition and activation systems and function in patients with chronic pain
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Authors: Craner, J. R., Sperry, J. A., Koball, A. M., Morrison, E. J., & Gilliam, W. P.
Affiliations: Mayo Clinic (US)
Gundersen Health System (US)
Corresponding author: Gilliam, Wesley P.
ORCID: Craner, Julia R.
Koball, Afton M.
Morrison, Eleshia J.
Gilliam, Wesley P.
Venue: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2017-03-15
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Pages: 542-551
ISSN: 1070-5503 (ISSN-L)
1532-7558
DOI: 10.1007/s12529-017-9646-3
OpenAlex: W2605413882
Cited by: 44
References: 43
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI: 3.06
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (unspecified)
Locations: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
Keywords: pain acceptance, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain, pain adaptation, depressive symptoms, pain interference, activities of daily living, interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation, treatment-seeking patients
MeSH terms: Activities of Daily Living, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pain Measurement, Regression Analysis, Self Report, Catastrophization, Chronic Pain

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Unique Contributions of Acceptance and Catastrophizing on Chronic Pain Adaptation

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