CORRELATES OF DEPRESSION IN CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS - A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

This study examined the relations between depression and demographic, pain-related, and work-related variables in 254 chronic pain patients. Regression analyses were conducted, initially by category (i.e., demo graphic, pain-related, and work-related), and finally a comprehensive regression analysis was performed, containing the significant independ ent variables from each category. Among the demographic variables, edu cation level and marital status were related to depression, and an int eraction between age and gender was associated with depression, with y ounger women and older men reporting more depression. Among the pain-r elated variables, longer duration of pain was associated with increase d depression. Among the work-related variables, unemployment was assoc iated with depression, and there was an interaction between work statu s and litigation status, with working and litigating being associated with depression and not working and not litigating being associated wi th depression. In the comprehensive analysis, work status, education l evel, and marital status accounted for a significant amount of the var iance in depression scores. These findings, together with future resea rch directions, are discussed.