Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Chronic pain is responsible for the majority of physician visits in the United States and results in substantial medical costs. Thus, it is vital that a comprehensive understanding of the pain experience be obtained. There is surprisingly little research on the experience of chronic pain among the growing aging population. To date, the literature on younger individuals has been generalized to older individuals, and research has failed to examine differences that may exist between younger and older individuals with chronic pain. The present investigation sought to gain a more comprehensive understanding of age differences in the pain experience, particularly in relation to pain locus of control. Pain locus of control refers to the beliefs or expectancies that a person holds about their ability or available resources to alter pain. The present study examined 178 younger and older individuals with chronic pain on their pain locus of control and its impact on pain outcomes. It was anticipated that older individuals would endorse an external locus of control more often than younger individuals. Age was also expected to moderate the relationship between locus of control and pain outcomes, such that an external locus of control would be associated with increased pain severity, perceived disability, and affective distress for younger individuals, but would not be significantly related to outcomes for older individuals. Results revealed age was not a moderator in the relationship between locus of control and pain outcomes. Further, contrary to expectations, age was not associated with external locus of control. However, there is support for age differences in pain presentations.

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