Self-efficacy and choice of coping strategies for tolerating acute pain.
Participants who reported either low or high self-efficacy for tolerating painful stimuli were randomly assigned to conditions, in which they either did or did not have a choice of strategies for coping with arm shock. Choice and self-efficacy were positively associated with increases in perceived control. Being given a choice, in comparison to having no choice, led to increased tolerance of arm shock and lower pain reports for those with high self-efficacy. Providing a choice of strategies did not benefit those with low self-efficacy. This study demonstrates that the benefits of allowing individuals the opportunity of choosing among an array of coping options depend on a prior conviction that one is able to cope.
Rokke
Paul D
PD
Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA. paul.rokke@ndsu.nodak.edu
Fleming-Ficek
Shelley
S
Siemens
Nicole M
NM
Hegstad
Holly J
HJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004597:Electroshock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy