Satisfaction with life moderates the indirect effect of pain intensity on pain interference through pain catastrophizing.
Abstract
Objective Satisfaction with life buffers the effect of stress on health, but its role in the mechanism through which pain may impact engagement in activities of daily living is not known. We tested whether satisfaction with life protects against engaging in pain catastrophizing and through this explains individual differences in the extent to which pain interferes with activities of daily living. Method One-hundred and 42 patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal illness participated in this cross-sectional study and completed the PROMIS pain intensity, PROMIS pain interference, pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), satisfaction with life scale (SWLS), and demographic variables. Results A simple mediation model confirmed that the indirect effect of pain intensity on pain interference through PCS was 35.9% of the total effect. A moderated mediation analysis showed that the indirect effect of pain intensity on pain interference through PCS was differentially moderated by SWLS after controlling for relevant covariates. As satisfaction with life increased from low to moderate to high, a smaller proportion of the effect of pain intensity on pain interference (41.6%, 26.1%, and 10.5%) was carried through PCS, such that at the highest satisfaction with life, the indirect effect becomes completely nonsignificant. Conclusions Satisfaction with life appears to buffer the effect of pain in individuals with upper extremity musculoskeletal illness. If replicated through longitudinal desig…
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Mediation is frequently examined in cross-sectional studies in which hypotheses are driven by theoretical information.
“However, mediation is frequently examined in cross-sectional studies [13, 33] in which hypotheses are driven by theoretical information, similar to this study.”
From What are the Implications of Excessive Internet Searches for Medical Information by Orthopaedic Patients? (2019) · cites this paper as [33]
A further study of patients with upper-extremity musculoskeletal illnesses found that greater satisfaction with life reduces the effect of pain intensity on how much pain interferes with daily activities.
“A further study of patients with upper-extremity musculoskeletal illnesses found that greater satisfaction with life reduces the effect of pain intensity on how much pain interferes with daily activities [33].”
From What are the Implications of Excessive Internet Searches for Medical Information by Orthopaedic Patients? (2019) · cites this paper as [33]
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- Authors
- Talaei-Khoei, M., Chen, N., Ring, D., & Vranceanu, A.-M.
- Affiliations
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
- Published
- 2018-03
- Volume
- 86
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 231-241
- ISSN
- 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-2117
- OpenAlex
- W2791852443
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4
- FWCI
- 1.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
- Keywords
- life satisfaction, pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, moderated mediation, activities of daily living, positive psychology interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Pain, Pain Measurement, Personal Satisfaction, Catastrophization, Pain Perception, Mindfulness
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