The role of catastrophism in the relationship among activity engagement, pain willingness and psychological outcomes in chronic pain patients

Background and aims: The aim of the study is to explore the different effects of catastrophism in the development of anxiety and pain related anxiety in patients with chronic pain. Methods: 54 patients seeking treatment for chronic pain completed the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire subscales (Activity Engagement-AE and Pain Wllingness-PW), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed. Results: The Pain Catastrophizing Scale mediates the effect of both AE and PW in the development of pain related anxiety. On the contrary, PCS mediated the effect of the AE but not the effect of PW in the development of general anxiety. Conclusions: Catastrophism seems to differently mediate the effect of AE and of PW on the development of general anxiety and pain related anxiety.