title: Adult attachment variables predict depression before and after treatment for chronic pain.
abstract: The complex relationship between chronic pain and depression has long been of clinical and empirical interest. Although attachment theory has been described as a "theory of affect regulation", and has been lauded as a developmental framework for chronic pain, surprisingly little research specifically considers the links between adult attachment variables and pain-related depression. A sample of 99 participants with chronic pain of non-cancer origin was evaluated before and after pain rehabilitation. Results demonstrated that two attachment dimensions (comfort with closeness and relationship anxiety) were related to pre- and post-treatment depression. Of particular interest was the finding that comfort with closeness was the unique predictor of lower levels of post-treatment depression, usurping pain intensity and pre-treatment depression. These results are discussed in terms of clinical implications, and suggest that adult attachment theory may prove a valuable perspective in pain treatment programs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. P.Meredith@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Feeney
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012919:Social Behavior