Pain Catastrophizing as Repetitive Negative Thinking: A Development of the Conceptualization

نویسندگان

  • Ida Landström Flink
  • Katja Boersma
  • Steven J. Linton
چکیده

Pain catastrophizing is a well-known concept in the pain literature and has been recognized as one of the most powerful psychological determinants of negative outcomes for pain problems. However, relatively little effort has been put into developing its theoretical underpinnings. More specifically, the intrinsic function of catastrophizing is not explicitly dealt with in contemporary theoretical models. The aim of this article is to add to existing models by proposing a development of the conceptualization of catastrophizing that stresses its function as an emotion regulator. We argue that catastrophizing can be conceptualized as a form of negative repetitive thinking, which is abstract, intrusive, and difficult to disengage from. It has been argued that repetitive negative thinking is a form of ineffective problem solving that functions to downregulate negative affect and that it can be regarded as an avoidant coping strategy because it impedes processing of emotional and somatic responses. Thus, in our conceptualization, catastrophizing is proposed to be a form of problem-solving behavior that functions to reduce negative emotion triggered by pain, and other related stimuli. Furthermore, we argue that catastrophizing is preferably regarded as a process where cognitions, emotions, and overt behavior are intertwined and not viewed as separate entities. To underscore the latter, we suggest the term catastrophic worry. Our intention with this development of the conceptualization is to give rise to new ideas for research and clinical practice and to revitalize discussions about the theoretical framework around pain-related catastrophizing.

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

The role of repetitive negative thinking as a transdiagnostic factor in predicting the severity of emotional disorders symptoms

Introduction: Emotional disorders which are to a great extent the result of the deviation of emotions from their normal course can grow and develop under the influence of transdiagnostic factors such as perfectionism, insomnia, emotional disregulation, rumination, and repetitive negative thoughts. The present study aimed to evaluate the contribution of Repetitive negative thinking to predict a ...

متن کامل

An Investigation of the Mediating Role of Catastrophizing in the Relationship of High Neuroticism and Extraversion with Fear of Movement and Pain Intensity in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Sufferers

Background & Aims: The current study aimed to investigate the role of catastrophizing as mediator variable in the relationship of neuroticism and extraversion with fear of movement and pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: This study was conducted on 200 subjects who were selected through purposive sampling from among the clients of Shohada, Emam Hossein, and Sina Hospi...

متن کامل

An Investigation of the Mediating Role of Catastrophizing in the Relationship of High Neuroticism and Extraversion with Fear of Movement and Pain Intensity in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Sufferers

Background & Aims: The current study aimed to investigate the role of catastrophizing as mediator variable in the relationship of neuroticism and extraversion with fear of movement and pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: This study was conducted on 200 subjects who were selected through purposive sampling from among the clients of Sh...

متن کامل

Worry and catastrophizing about pain in youth: a reappraisal.

Catastrophizing about pain is defined as ‘‘an exaggerated negative ‘mental set’ brought to bear during actual or anticipated pain experience’’ [25]. It is a salient form of worry, and one that has proven useful in explaining pain severity, disability, and adaptation to treatment in a range of different conditions and settings [7,12]. Catastrophizing involves repeated thought about threat as unc...

متن کامل

Children ’ s catastrophic thinking about their pain predicts pain and disability six months

Running head: The predictive role of pain catastrophizing in children 2 ABSTRACT Catastrophic thinking about pain has been identified as an important determinant of adjustment to pain, in both adults and children. No study has investigated the prospective and unique role of catastrophizing in explaining later pain and disability in children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the p...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

عنوان ژورنال:

دوره 42  شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2013