Self-criticism interacts with the affective component of pain to predict depressive symptoms in female patients

Sheera F. Lerman, G. Shahar, Z. Rudich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the role of the trait of self-criticism as a moderator of the relationship between the affective and sensory components of pain, and depression. One hundred and sixty-three chronic pain patients treated at a specialty pain clinic completed self-report questionnaires at two time points assessing affective and sensory components of pain, depression, and self-criticism. Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed a significant 3-way interaction between self-criticism, affective pain and gender, whereby women with high affective pain and high self-criticism demonstrated elevated levels of depression. Our findings are the first to show within a broad, comprehensive model, that selfcriticism is activated by the affective, but not sensory component of pain in leading to depressive symptoms, and highlight the need to assess patients’ personality as part of an effective treatment plan.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)115-122
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Pain (United Kingdom)
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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