Toward a Unifying Definition of Psychological Pain

Abstract

Loss and trauma are often associated with psychological pain. However, a generally accepted understanding and clear definition of what is constituted by psychological pain do not exist. Morse and colleagues' criteria (definition, characteristics, boundaries, preconditions, outcomes) were used to analyze related concepts (suffering, psychache, emotional pain, and psychic pain) that could contribute to a definition of psychological pain. The analysis indicated that psychological pain may best be defined as a lasting, unsustainable, and unpleasant feeling resulting from negative appraisal of an inability or deficiency of the self. This negative self-appraisal is typically brought on by loss of someone or something, or failure to achieve something that is intimately linked to core psychological needs.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Esther L. Meerwijk

Esther L. Meerwijk is a Ph.D candidate in the School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco. She is interested in psychological pain and is currently studying neurophysiological markers that may be useful in the assessment and alleviation of psychological pain.

Sandra J. Weiss

Sandra J. Weiss is a Professor in the Department of Community Health Systems and the Eschbach Endowed Chair in Mental Health Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. Her program of research focuses on the interaction between biological and environmental factors as they impact mental health. She is currently examining the interactive effects of genotype, neuroendocrine and ANS reactivity, and stress exposure on development of the ability to regulate emotions and emotional distress.