title: A psychometric evaluation of the Pain Response Preference Questionnaire in a chronic pain patient sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Pain Response Preference Questionnaire (PRPQ) assesses preferences regarding pain-related social support. The initial factor analytic study of the PRPQ conducted with a nonclinical sample identified scales labeled Solicitude, Management, Suppression, and Encouragement. The first aim of the current study was to evaluate whether these scales would be appropriate for use with chronic pain patients. The construct validity of the emerging scales and their relations to pain-related disability were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large sample of chronic pain patients (N = 300) completed the PRPQ along with self-reports of personality constructs, coping styles, pain severity, and disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factor analysis supported a three-factor solution. Two factors were similar to those obtained in its initial evaluation, and were given the identical labels of Solicitude and Suppression. The remaining factor was labeled Activity Direction and was comprised primarily of items that were part of the earlier Management and Encouragement scales. Internally consistent PRPQ scales based on these factors were created. Correlation analyses involving the personality and coping measures provided support for the construct validity of these PRPQ scales. Supportive of their clinical utility, multiple regression analyses indicated that, after adjusting for pain severity, the PRPQ scales accounted for significant variance in disability ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Additional factor analytic research aimed at identifying the most appropriate set of PRPQ scales is warranted. The present findings indicate that the PRPQ scales used in the current study have strong psychometric properties and hold promise as research and clinical tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Acadia University.
authors.forename: Lachlan A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McWilliams
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta.
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Acadia University.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Verrier
authors.affiliation: Psychology, The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowal
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010551:Personality; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult