The Role of Self Efficacy and Dispositional Optimism in Conditioned Pain Modulation

Recent research proposes that psychological factors might influence individuals’ pain experiences via descending endogenous pain modulation. This can be studied using the experimental paradigm of conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Two types of psychological variables suggested to influence individuals’ pain experience are self-efficacy beliefs and dispositional optimism. It is further proposed that self-efficacy might predict dispositional optimism. The present study aims to investigate whether self-efficacy and dispositional optimism affect individuals’ CPM response. The primary research question asks whether the influence of self-efficacy on CPM is mediated by dispositional optimism. This is investigated by three hypotheses: First, self-efficacy affects CPM; second, dispositional optimism affects CPM; third, dispositional optimism mediates the effect of self-efficacy on CPM. The provisional research question asks whether verbal suggestions are effective in changing self-efficacy...Show moreRecent research proposes that psychological factors might influence individuals’ pain experiences via descending endogenous pain modulation. This can be studied using the experimental paradigm of conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Two types of psychological variables suggested to influence individuals’ pain experience are self-efficacy beliefs and dispositional optimism. It is further proposed that self-efficacy might predict dispositional optimism. The present study aims to investigate whether self-efficacy and dispositional optimism affect individuals’ CPM response. The primary research question asks whether the influence of self-efficacy on CPM is mediated by dispositional optimism. This is investigated by three hypotheses: First, self-efficacy affects CPM; second, dispositional optimism affects CPM; third, dispositional optimism mediates the effect of self-efficacy on CPM. The provisional research question asks whether verbal suggestions are effective in changing self-efficacy beliefs and is tested with a hypothesis stating that verbally manipulation self-efficacy is successful. Participants (N = 17) are university students or adults, randomly grouped into a high versus low self-efficacy condition in which they are accordingly manipulated. The Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) is administered to measure dispositional optimism. The CPM paradigm is executed using an algometer and the cold-pressor test as stimuli. The primary hypotheses are analysed using linear regression and the PROCESS macro procedure. The results were not statistically significant at p ≤ .05 and, followingly, neither of the hypotheses could be confirmed. However, secondary findings might potentially point towards an effect of self-efficacy on CPM (β = .17) and dispositional optimism on CPM (β = .15). The provisional hypothesis, tested using a one-way ANOVA, revealed non-significant results at p ≤ .05. Thus, the manipulation of self-efficacy was not successful. The present research represents one of the first studies investigating the role of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism in CPM. The current findings suggest that future research into this field is highly needed. This would help to uncover the impact of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism on CPM or to show that a different approach including other psychological variables is more suitable. Investigating the field of CPM further could help to improve pain treatments and prevent the development of persistent pain conditions.Show less

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The Role of Self Efficacy and Dispositional Optimism in Conditioned Pain Modulation