CORRELATIONS AMONG GENERAL STRESS, FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, AND PAIN EXPERIENCE

For 15 subjects with chronic low back pain and 15 matched healthy cont rols analysis of scores on Life Experiences Survey (general stress), F amily Environment Scale (family relationships). Beck Depression Invent ory (psychological distress), and McGill Pain Questionnaire (pain expe rience) indicated that the scores on environmental stressors, general stress, and psychological distress were higher for the group with pain . They experienced more negative life events and were more depressed. Certain family characteristics (decreased scores on Cohesion, lndepend ence, Organization, and increased scores on Conflict) were unique to t hat group. Finally, certain family variables which did not differentia te between the groups were associated with the pain experience.