The effectiveness of attachment on global pain in chronic pain sufferers: the mediating effect of pain self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective To identify global pain and attachment in chronic pain sufferers, and explore the mediating effect of pain self-efficacy. Methods There were 193 patients recruited from Pain Department in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between February 2017 and June 2017. The Global Pain Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-Revised and Chronic Pain Self-efficacy Scale were used to collect data. Results The score of global pain, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were (79.55±15.82), (2.98±0.81) and (3.22±0.89) points respectively. 52.8%(102/193) participants were secure attachment. Mediating effect analyses revealed that self-efficacy exerted a partial mediating effect between global pain and attachment, with the mediating effect of 33.3% in total effect. Conclusions Health professionals should improve the self-efficacy in the management of chronic pain, especially in those with strong relationship needs, promote the positive pain adjustment, and improve the quality of life. Key words: Chronic pain; Attachment; Global pain; Self-efficacy