Communicative dimensions of pain catastrophizing: social cueing effects on pain behaviour and coping

The study was designed to assess whether the social context of a pain experience impacted on the relation between catastrophizing and duration of pain behaviour. Based on a communal coping model, the prediction was that the presence of an observer during a pain procedure would differentially influence the display of pain behaviour in high and low catastrophizers. University undergraduates taking part in a cold pressor procedure were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) participant alone (n=30), or (2) observer present (n=34). Analysis of video records revealed that high pain catastrophizers displayed communicative pain behaviours (e.g. facial displays, vocalizations) for a longer duration when an observer was present compared to high pain catastrophizers who were alone during the pain procedure. The duration of pain management behaviours (e.g. holding, rubbing) did not vary significantly as a function of catastrophizing. When the observer was present, high catastrophizers also reported using fewer cognitive coping strategies than low catastrophizers. The pattern of findings suggests that in the presence of an observer, high pain catastrophizers show a propensity to engage in strategies that more effectively communicate their pain, and are less likely to engage in strategies that might minimize pain. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.