Abstract
Beliefs, coping, and depressive mood state in chronic pain patients. This study analyses the relationship between pain-related beliefs, coping strategies (self-statements), pain perception, and depressive mood state in chronic pain patients. A theoretical model is proposed and tested with two groups of chronic patients attending two different medical services. The sample was made up of 100 patients from the Rheumatology Unit, and 114 patients from a Pain Clinic. The results suggest that there are differences in the relationships between the different variables studied. A general conclusion is that the pain-related beliefs of patients with chronic pain play a important role on pain perception. However, no significant relationships were found between self-statements and pain. Finally, the pain intensity and the depressed mood are positively correlated.
