A strengths-based approach to chronic pain

ABSTRACT

Nonpharmacological approaches to chronic pain are being increasingly sought out by therapists and health-care providers. Cognitive approaches to reduce pain catastrophizing have shown some efficacy; however, interventions used to increase well-being have not been investigated. In this study, we examined a strengths-based approach to reduce chronic pain and enhance pain self-efficacy, the belief that one has the capacity to function despite pain. In study 1, we administered a survey (N = 491) in order to identify the strengths most associated with pain self-efficacy. In study 2, participants (N = 122) were randomized into one of four experimental conditions based on the findings of Study 1, including a group who wrote about zest as well as several comparison groups. Results from Study 2 indicated that zest remained the most promising strength to target. In Study 3 (N = 81), in a pre-registered trial, we replicated the main findings of Study 2, showing that focusing on the strength of zest effectively increases pain self-efficacy as well as the capacity to function despite pain after a two-week follow-up. These studies show that a strength-based intervention can increase pain self-efficacy and the capacity to function despite pain.

KEYWORDS:

• Character strengths
• chronic pain
• pain self-efficacy
• strength-based approach

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the VIA Institute on Character.