Depression, Pain, and Pain Behavior

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology Vol. 54; no. 5; pp. 665 - 669
• Main Authors: Keefe, Francis J, Wilkins, Robert H, Cook, Wesley A, Crisson, James E, Muhlbaier, Lawrence H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-10-1986
• Subjects: Adult; Back Pain; Back Pain - psychology; Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Depression (Emotion); Depression - complications; Female; General aspects; Human; Human Sex Differences; Humans; Illness Behavior; Male; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Pain; Pain Perception; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Sick Role; Social research; Therapy; Human; Sensation; Clinical test; Back pain; Pain; Depression Inventory Beck; Prediction; Depression; Psychometrics; Behavior; Variance; Physiological disorder
• ISSN: 0022-006X; 1939-2117
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.54.5.665

This study examined the degree to which depression predicted pain and pain behavior. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to 207 low back pain patients. Observations of pain behaviors during physical examination, ratings of pain, and measures of activity level and medication intake were taken on each patient. Regression analyses revealed that depression and physical findings were the most important predictors of pain and pain behavior. Although the proportion of variance attributed to depression was modest, it was significant even after controlling for important demographic and medical status variables. These results indicate that depression is an important factor that needs to be considered when evaluating the clinical significance of pain and pain behavior in low back pain patients.