Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes

• Published in: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry 2018-12, Vol.87 (Pt B), p.168-182
• Main Authors: Meints, S.M., Edwards, R.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Biopsychosocial; Catastrophization; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - diagnosis; Chronic Pain - psychology; Humans; Mechanisms; Pain Measurement
• ISSN: 0278-5846; 1878-4216; 1878-4216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.01.017

The biopsychosocial model of pain dominates the scientific community's understanding of chronic pain. Indeed, the biopsychosocial approach describes pain and disability as a multidimensional, dynamic integration among physiological, psychological, and social factors that reciprocally influence one another. In this article, we review two categories of studies that evaluate the contributions of psychosocial factors to the experience of chronic pain. First, we consider general psychosocial variables including distress, trauma, and interpersonal factors. Additionally, we discuss pain-specific psychosocial variables including catastrophizing, expectations, and pain-related coping. Together, we present a diverse array of psychological, social, and contextual factors and highlight the need to consider their roles in the development, maintenance, and treatment of chronic pain conditions. •We review psychosocial factors that influence the experience of chronic pain.•We first review the history of the biopsychosocial model of pain.•Then we discuss the impact of general psychosocial variables.•Finally, we identify pain-specific variables including catastrophizing and coping.