Pain-Related Beliefs Among Chinese Patients with Chronic Pain: The Construct and Concurrent Predictive Validity of the Chinese Version of the Survey of Pain Attitudes-14 (ChSOPA-14)

Abstract

Context Pain beliefs as indexed by the Survey of Pain Attitudes (SOPA) have been consistently shown to predict pain adjustment outcomes in Western populations. However, its utility in non-Western populations is unclear. Objectives We evaluated the construct and predictive validity of the Chinese version of the 14-item SOPA (ChSOPA-14) in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain. Methods A total of 208 Chinese patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain completed the ChSOPA-14, the Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and measures of sociodemographic characteristics. Results Except Medical Cure, all ChSOPA-14 scales were significantly correlated with validity criterion measures (all P < 0.05) in expected directions. The present Chinese sample scored the highest on the Medical Cure scale (mean = 2.98, standard deviation [SD] = 1.05) but the lowest on the Disability scale (mean = 1.75, SD = 1.67). Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the ChSOPA-14 scales predicted concurrent depression ( F(7,177) = 14.51, P < 0.001) and pain disability ( F(7,180) = 8.77, P < 0.001). Pain Control (std β [standardized beta coefficient] = −0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.41, −0.13; P < 0.05) and Emotion (std β = 29; 95% CI: 1.76, 5.02; P < 0.001) emerged as significant independent predictors of concurrent depression whereas Disability (std β = 0.19; 95% CI: 1.33, 7.88; P < 0.01), Emotion (std β = 16; 95% CI: 0.08, 7.59; P < 0.05), and Solicitude (std β = −0.14; 95% CI: −7.05, −0.04; P < 0.05) significantly associated with concurrent disability. Conclusion The findings offer preliminary evidence for the construct and concurrent predictive validity of the ChSOPA-14. This makes available a suitable instrument for chronic pain in the Chinese population and will facilitate future cross-cultural research on pain beliefs.