(883): Effects of expressive writing and social cueing on pain catastrophizing

Abstract

The present study examines how presence of an observer and expressive writing affect pain ratings and catastrophizing in a healthy, undergraduate sample exposed to laboratory-induced pain. To replicate and extend studies by Sullivan, Adams, and Sullivan (2004) and Sullivan and Neish (1999), 132 students were assigned to one of four conditions: 1) observer-present, expressive writing task, 2) observer-present, control writing task, 3) observer-absent, expressive writing task, or 4) observer-absent, control writing task. Baseline pain catastrophizing (PCS) was assessed followed by a 15-second cold pressor task (CPT) exposure, followed by an expressive or control writing task. Thereafter, participants completed the CPT for one minute with either an observer present or absent. A state-PCS and visual analogue scale measuring sensation and unpleasantness was administered after the task. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant interaction between observer and expressive writing such that observer presence and participation in an expressive writing task would result in decreased pain intensity and lower pain catastrophizing scores. The observer and expressive writing interaction was not significant for PCS scores, F(1, 102)=2.431, p=.122, and pain ratings, F(2, 126)=4.65, p=.229; although the trend was in the hypothesized direction. Pain ratings were higher in the observer absent condition compared to the observer present condition, F(1, 127)=3.43, p=.066. Baseline PCS scores for pain ratings (sensitivity) was significant F(1, 127)=9.339, p=.003. In the control writing condition, PCS scores tended to be higher when the observer was absent than when the observer was present, although the finding did not reach significance. However, in the expressive writing condition, PCS scores tended to be lower when the observer was absent compared to when the observer was present. This suggests that there may be some therapeutic value in expressive writing, particularly when participants are not accompanied by an observer in the pain task.