Intolerance of Uncertainty Moderates the Relationship between Catastrophizing, Anxiety, and Perceived Pain in People with Chronic Nononcological Pain. Issue 10 (16th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: López-Martínez, Alicia E; Ramírez-Maestre, Carmen; Serrano-Ibáñez, Elena R; Ruiz-Párraga, Gema T; Esteve, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Pain medicine. Volume 23:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1793
• Page End: 1799
• Publication Date: 2022-02-16
• Subjects: Intolerance of Uncertainty -- Catastrophizing -- Anxiety -- Perceived Pain -- Nononcological Chronic Pain; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Analgesics -- Periodicals; Pain -- Periodicals; Pain Management -- Periodicals; Douleur -- Périodiques; Douleur -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Analgésiques -- Périodiques; Analgésique; Soulagement de la douleur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.047205
• DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-2375

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Substantial empirical evidence has shown that intolerance of uncertainty is a central transdiagnostic feature in psychopathology and it has been suggested to be a pain-related psychological factor contributing to the experience of chronic pain. However, research in this area is virtually nonexistent. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between pain severity, catastrophizing, and anxiety in people with chronic nononcological pain, while assuming that intolerance of uncertainty moderates these relationships. Methods: A convenience sample of 188 individuals with nononcological chronic pain (157 women and 32 men) participated in the study. We investigated the moderated mediation of intolerance of uncertainty between anxiety and catastrophizing and between catastrophizing and pain intensity. Results: The full moderated mediation model accounted for significant variance in pain intensity (R 2 = 0.148, P < .001). Intolerance of uncertainty significantly moderated the interaction between anxiety and catastrophizing (B = 0.039, SE = 0.012, 95% CI [0.015, 0.063]) and between catastrophizing and pain intensity (B = -0.034, SE = 0.010, 95% CI [−0.054, −0.014]). Anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty did not interact in predicting catastrophizing, although an interaction effect was found between intolerance of uncertainty and catastrophizing in predicting pain intensity. Conclusion: This study is the first to address the interrelationship of intolerance of uncertainty, catastrophizing, and anxiety in relation to perceived pain intensity. The current findings support intolerance of uncertainty as a relevant psychological variable that is distinct from other relevant constructs in the setting of pain research and treatment.