Assessing the significant others of chronic pain patients: the psychometric properties of significant other questionnaires

Abstract

Contemporary reviews of psychological models of chronic pain have favoured behavioural and cognitive-behavioural formulations. These have often assumed that pain behaviours are maintained by environmental reinforcers. One of the most commonly hypothesized sources of reinforcement has been patients’ significant others. Further, it has often been recognized that significant others may also be affected by pain behaviours and that they may experience changes in their lifesyles and in their mood as a consequence of living with someone who has pain. Somewhat surprisingly, relatively little clinical research has been published investigating significant others and their relationships with pain patients. Among other things, one of the limiting factors has been the lack of measurement tools available for assessing the relevant variables thought to be important with regards to significant others (such as their responses to, and perceptions of, chronic pain). This study attempted to remedy this situation by developing and testing the psychometric properties of a number of questionnaires specifically designed for significant others of chronic pain patients. The questionnaires have been selected to assess both significant others’ (behavioural and cognitive) responses to pain as well as the extent to which pain impacts on their lives. Although not all of the questionnaires were found to possess equally strong psychometric properties, the availability of several solid measures opens the way for more empirical analyses of significant others and their interactions with chronic pain patients.