The relationship between Outcome Expectancies and  Pain Tolerance: The role of optimism as moderator

Pain, which substantially impacts one’s quality of life, is affected by various factors, including outcome expectancies. Although the effect of outcome expectancies has been studied extensively on pain perception, their impact on pain tolerance -defined as the ability to withstand a maximum pain intensity stimulus before seeking relief- remains mostly unknown. Furthermore, underlying mechanisms, that may be at play are not fully understood. This study aims to examine the role of induced outcome expectancies for pain tolerance, and the moderating role of optimism. It was hypothesized that the participants of the high outcome expectancy condition who received verbal suggestions about the expected outcome would exhibit higher pain tolerance than those in the neutral condition group, who did not receive any verbal suggestions. Additionally, optimism, comprised of positive outcome expectancies for the future, was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between outcome expectancies and...Show morePain, which substantially impacts one’s quality of life, is affected by various factors, including outcome expectancies. Although the effect of outcome expectancies has been studied extensively on pain perception, their impact on pain tolerance -defined as the ability to withstand a maximum pain intensity stimulus before seeking relief- remains mostly unknown. Furthermore, underlying mechanisms, that may be at play are not fully understood. This study aims to examine the role of induced outcome expectancies for pain tolerance, and the moderating role of optimism. It was hypothesized that the participants of the high outcome expectancy condition who received verbal suggestions about the expected outcome would exhibit higher pain tolerance than those in the neutral condition group, who did not receive any verbal suggestions. Additionally, optimism, comprised of positive outcome expectancies for the future, was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between outcome expectancies and pain tolerance meaning that outcome expectancies would decrease one’s sensitivity to pain more when optimism is high. The study’s factorial 2x2 between-subjects design involved randomizing healthy adults into a neutral control and high outcome expectancy condition group. Outcome expectancies were manipulated through verbal suggestions and assessed using a visual analog scale about the expected intensity of the upcoming stimulus. A Cold Pressor Test was used to assess pain tolerance, and dispositional optimism was measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised. The analysis revealed no significant difference in expected intensity ratings between the two groups, suggesting a need for further improvement of the effectiveness of verbal suggestions. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in pain tolerance between the two groups and optimism did not demonstrate a moderating effect on the relationship between induced outcome expectancies and pain tolerance. Future research may further explore cognitive and psychological mechanisms while taking into account personal traits that may be responsible for the association between outcome expectancies and pain perception and tolerance.Show less

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The relationship between Outcome Expectancies and Pain Tolerance: The role of optimism as moderator