Perceived control over pain: relation to distress and disability.

The relationship between perceived control over pain and outcomes of distress and disability were studied in a sample consisting of 71 patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. The pain-related control belief subscales measured three aspects of control: lack of control, ability to cope, and negative outcome expectancy. After controlling for pain intensity, the control belief subscales explained a significant amount of the variance in distress and disability. These findings provide support for cognitive modulation of the distress and disability associated with chronic nonmalignant pain.