Harry J Wong1, Magdalena Anitescu2. 1. Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. 2. Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain is significantly influenced by behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors. Few studies have investigated the health locus of control (HLC)-one's belief regarding where control over one's health lies-as it relates to patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between depression and health/pain locus of control (HLC) in adult patients with persistent pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of questionnaires was administered to chronic pain patients, and these questionnaires were scored and analyzed. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on health locus of control (internal, chance, powerful-others), which were examined with respect to their depression scores using analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients completed the study: 33% belonged to the internal group, 39% in the chance group, and 28% in the powerful-others group. The 3 groups had depression scores of 40 (SD = 8), 47 (SD = 10), and 42 (SD = 8), respectively. We found significant difference in depressions scores between the chance group and the internal group (P < 0.005) with the chance group having higher depression scores compared to the internal group. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that patients with an internal locus of control are less depressed compared to patients with fatalistic views on their health/pain in the chance group. The chance dimension of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale was found to be a potential predictor of psychiatric comorbidities such as depression in the chronic pain patient population.
OBJECTIVE:Chronic pain is significantly influenced by behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors. Few studies have investigated the health locus of control (HLC)-one's belief regarding where control over one's health lies-as it relates to patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between depression and health/pain locus of control (HLC) in adult patients with persistent pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of questionnaires was administered to chronic painpatients, and these questionnaires were scored and analyzed. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on health locus of control (internal, chance, powerful-others), which were examined with respect to their depression scores using analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients completed the study: 33% belonged to the internal group, 39% in the chance group, and 28% in the powerful-others group. The 3 groups had depression scores of 40 (SD = 8), 47 (SD = 10), and 42 (SD = 8), respectively. We found significant difference in depressions scores between the chance group and the internal group (P < 0.005) with the chance group having higher depression scores compared to the internal group. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that patients with an internal locus of control are less depressed compared to patients with fatalistic views on their health/pain in the chance group. The chance dimension of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale was found to be a potential predictor of psychiatric comorbidities such as depression in the chronic painpatient population.
Authors: Shannon M Fuller; Kimberly A Koester; Xavier A Erguera; Emma Wilde Botta; Fredrik von Beetzen; Wayne T Steward; Ann Avery Journal: SAGE Open Med Date: 2019-04-02
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