McGillion, Jenny; (2002) The role of anger, depression and disability in chronic facial pain. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aim - This study investigated the significance of anger and anger targets in chronic facial pain, depression and disability. Design - A non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed. The main method of data collection was self-report questionnaires, completed at one time interval. Short, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of participants. Sample - The sample comprised of 51 patients between the ages of 18 and 65, with a history of chronic facial pain of at least 6 months duration. Results - The study found high levels of anger in the sample. The most frequently reported anger targets were anger toward self and anger toward a significant other. Overall anger was found to be significantly associated with pain intensity, depression and disability. Anger toward self was significantly associated with pain intensity and depression. Pain intensity (both current and average over past week) was the only variable to emerge as an independent predictor of overall anger intensity when all the other variables were partialled out. A range of themes that were revealed to be pertinent to the experience of anger in chronic facial pain were identified. Conclusions - The findings indicate that future research and clinical work should continue to focus upon the interrelationship between chronic pain and anger, both in terms of the extent and expression of anger in chronic pain sufferers, and in delineating specific interactions of anger targets. The findings of this study indicate the importance of anger toward self and a range of other negative emotions, such as guilt and self-blame in chronic facial pain patients. Such findings highlight the need to focus upon these psychological processes in the treatment of chronic facial pain.

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