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Power to the patients : effects of two strengths-based interventions on emotions and pain and the mediating influence of extraversion in people with chronic pain

Slatman, E.S. (2019) Power to the patients : effects of two strengths-based interventions on emotions and pain and the mediating influence of extraversion in people with chronic pain.

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Abstract:Chronic pain is a complex problem resulting from physical, psychological and social factors. Recent advancements in the field of positive psychology led to development of several interventions that could increase positive emotions, decrease negative emotions and decrease pain symptoms in people with chronic pain. An element of these positive-psychological interventions are strengths-based interventions, which aim to help people find their strengths and use them to cope with chronic pain. This study aimed to test the effect of two different brief strengths-based interventions (identifying strengths and using strengths) on negative and positive emotions, pain intensity and pain interference and the mediating influence of the personality trait extraversion on this effect. A randomized quantitative experimental design with pretest, posttest and follow-up measurements with two groups was used. In total, 52 participants finished the pre- and posttest measurements and 19 participants (37%) finished follow-up measurements. The results showed a significant decrease of negative emotions and pain interference. No significant results were found for positive emotions, pain intensity, the mediating effect of extraversion and the two interventions showed the same results, meaning that the using strengths intervention did not outperform the identifying strengths intervention, as hypothesized. Overall, these results are promising for the usefulness of brief strengths-based interventions for people with chronic pain in decreasing negative emotions and ease the burden of chronic pain. Several recommendations for future research are stated in this study, including increasing the amount of participants, improving adherence rates, including a control condition and using additional variables like pain catastrophizing and well-being.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/79587
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