A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Alexithymia and Early Maladaptive Schemas in chronic pain patients
Authors: Saariaho Anita S, Saariaho Tom H, Mattila Aino K, Karukivi Max, Joukamaa Matti I
Publisher: WILEY
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
Journal name in source: SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY
Journal acronym: SCAND J PSYCHOL
Volume: 56
Issue: 4
First page : 428
Last page: 437
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0036-5564
eISSN: 1467-9450
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12226
Abstract
Psychological factors have an impact on subjective pain experience. The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence of alexithymia and Early Maladaptive Schemas in a sample of 271 first visit chronic pain patients of six pain clinics. The patients completed the study questionnaire consisting of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, the Finnish version of the Young Schema Questionnaire short form-extended, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and pain variables. Alexithymic patients scored higher on Early Maladaptive Schemas and had more pain intensity, pain disability and depression than nonalexithymic patients. Both alexithymia and depression correlated significantly with most Early Maladaptive Schemas. The co-occurrence of alexithymia, Early Maladaptive Schemas and depression seems to worsen the pain experience. Screening of alexithymia, depression and Early Maladaptive Schemas may help to plan psychological treatment interventions for chronic pain patients.
Psychological factors have an impact on subjective pain experience. The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence of alexithymia and Early Maladaptive Schemas in a sample of 271 first visit chronic pain patients of six pain clinics. The patients completed the study questionnaire consisting of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, the Finnish version of the Young Schema Questionnaire short form-extended, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and pain variables. Alexithymic patients scored higher on Early Maladaptive Schemas and had more pain intensity, pain disability and depression than nonalexithymic patients. Both alexithymia and depression correlated significantly with most Early Maladaptive Schemas. The co-occurrence of alexithymia, Early Maladaptive Schemas and depression seems to worsen the pain experience. Screening of alexithymia, depression and Early Maladaptive Schemas may help to plan psychological treatment interventions for chronic pain patients.
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