Pain Severity, Negative Affect, and Microstressers as Predictors of Life Interference in TMD Patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among negative affect (depression, anxiety, and anger), microstressors (hassles), temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain severity, and life interference, using structural equations modeling. One hundred four subjects were recruited from the Parker Mahan Facial Pain Clinic at the University of Florida. Significant positive direct effects were found for paths between pain severity and life interference; pain severity and negative affect; and negative affect and life interference. These results are consistent with a learning or behavioral model of suffering and suggest that negative affect is an important mediating variable in the relationship between pain and life interference. Microstressors were not a significant predictor and may not be a relevant issue in the TMD population. The results suggest that the impact of chronic pain conditions is influenced by both pain and negative affect, and assessment and treatment of chronic TMD disorders may better benefit from a multidisciplinary approach.