PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH PAIN PERCEPTIONS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC SPINAL-CORD INJURY PAIN

Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships bet ween selected psychological variables and pain perceptions in 103 indi viduals experiencing chronic pain following traumatic spinal cord inju ry (SCI). Previous studies have suggested strong relationships between psychological variables and chronic SCI pain, but further delineation of such relationships is needed in order ultimately to develop more e ffective pain management strategies for individuals afflicted with suc h pain. Anger was found to be significantly related to perceptions of pain (p < .05), but neither guilt nor anger suppression was significan tly associated with perceived pain. Internal health locus of control w as associated with decreased pain perceptions (p < .05), but there was no significant relationship between internal health locus of control and angel: Punishing responses from significant others to pain complai nts were related to feelings of guilt (p < .05) and perceived pain (p < .05), bur this relationship was not mediated by guilt.