BIOGENIC, PSYCHOGENIC, AND SOCIOGENIC MODELS OF ADJUSTMENT TO CHRONICPAIN - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

Objective: Based upon three models of etiology and adjustment in CLBP, predictions were made about the variables that were expected to diffe rentiate organic and nonorganic patients, including: psychological dis tress (anxiety, depression, stress, alienation), pain condition and tr eatment, and general health. Method: Patients from a medical school or thopedic clinic with an organic (N = 58) or a nonorganic (N = 33) diag nosis for chronic low back pain (CLBP) were compared on medical, psych ological and sociodemographic variables. Results: Nonorganic patients exhibited greater emotional distress, contrary to the biogenic model, and nonorganic patients did not exhibit more somatic complaints, contr ary to the psychogenic model. Both patterns were consistent with the s ociogenic model; nonorganic patients were more distressed, but not bec ause of a greater tendency to somatize. Moreover, modeling was not sup ported as an explanation of the pain and distress among these patients . Conclusions: Social anomie may explain why patients without a medica lly diagnosable cause for their pain are more psychologically distress ed.