The multidimensionality of fear of pain: construct independence for the fear of Pain Questionnaire-Short Form and the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20.
Current fear-anxiety-avoidance models of chronic pain emphasize pain-related fear and anxiety as potential precursors for disabling chronic pain; however, anxiety and fear are often used interchangeably when discussing pain. Fear is a present-oriented emotive state associated with an imminent threat (eg, a patient about to receive an injection), whereas anxiety is a more general, future-oriented emotive state, that occurs in anticipation of threats without requiring an objective stimulus (eg, the possibility of receiving an injection). Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests pain-related fear and anxiety represent distinct cognitive constructs. Moreover, pain-related anxiety has been posited as a manifestation of anxiety sensitivity, which has implications for several theoretical models as well as treatment. The Fear of Pain Questionnaire and the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale-20 are popular measures, often used comparably, that were designed to measure pain-related fear and anxiety, respectively. These measures, along with the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, were administered to an undergraduate sample (N = 268; 66% women). Results of confirmatory factor analyses suggest each measure represents a related, but distinct, construct. Furthermore, correlations with anxiety sensitivity suggest that pain-related anxiety may be better conceptualized as a fundamental fear. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Fear-anxiety-avoidance models of chronic pain posit pain-related fear and anxiety as diatheses for disabling chronic pain. This research suggests theoretical and clinical distinctions between pain-related fear and anxiety. Moreover, pain-related anxiety appears more complex than a manifestation of anxiety sensitivity; pain-related anxiety may be better conceptualized as a fundamental fear.
Carleton
R Nicholas
RN
The Anxiety and Illness Behaviour Laboratory, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan.
Asmundson
Gordon J G
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult