Is Self-Concealment Associated With Acute and Chronic Pain?

Creative Commons License

Uysal A., LU Q.

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, vol.30, no.5, pp.606-614, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1037/a0024287
  • Journal Name: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.606-614
  • Keywords: self-concealment, pain, chronic pain, self-determination, EMOTIONAL DISCLOSURE, RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY, CONTROLLED-TRIAL, CONSEQUENCES, SUPPRESSION, QUESTIONNAIRE, SATISFACTION, PREDICTORS, TOLERANCE
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: Self-concealment is the predisposition to hide negative personal information. The present research examined whether self-concealment was associated with acute and chronic pain. Methods: In Study 1, undergraduate students (N = 44) completed an online questionnaire packet and then completed a cold-pressor task in the laboratory. In Study 2, individuals with chronic pain (N = 85) completed an online survey. Results: Study 1: Trait self-concealment was negatively associated with pain tolerance. Study 2: Self-concealment of chronic pain (hiding aspects of one's chronic pain condition from others) was associated with higher levels of self-reported pain and lower psychological well-being, independent of disclosure of feelings regarding pain. Furthermore, this association was mediated by autonomy and competence needs. Conclusions: Self-concealment was found to be associated with higher levels of pain in both healthy and chronic pain samples. Moreover, the findings also suggest that intervention methods using the self-determination theory framework (i.e., autonomy and competence supportive) might be effective for individuals with chronic pain.