OBSERVER PERCEPTIONS OF CHRONIC LOW-BACK-PAIN

This study examined the effects of three variables on perceptions of s ymptoms associated with chronic low back pain: (a) the presence or abs ence of supporting medical evidence, (b) the valence (positive/negativ e) of the relationship of an observer to the person in pain, (c) the d egree of control (present/absent) of the person in pain over the circu mstances of pain onset. The independent variables were manipulated in a (2 x 2 x 2) within-subjects design. Forty-eight undergraduate subjec ts were asked to estimate levels of pain intensity, emotional distress , and disability for the person in pain described in each of eight vig nettes. Significant main effects, a two-way interaction, and a three-w ay interaction emerged, indicating that these contextual variables exe rted substantial and complex effects on observer perceptions. The impl ications of these findings are discussed for matters such as pain asse ssment and disability determination.