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Volume 25, Issue 159 (5-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(159): 1-16 |
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Khajeh Hasani Rabari F, Mansouri A. (2026). The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Psychological Distress in Individuals with Chronic Pain: The Mediating Role of Pain Self‑Efficacy and Pain Catastrophizing. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(159), : 20 doi:10.61186/jps.25.159.20
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3307-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3307-en.html
Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Ne.C., Neyshabour, Iran. , mansoury_am@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (344 Views)
Background: Chronic pain, as a biopsychosocial phenomenon, is influenced not only by physical factors but also by early developmental experiences and cognitive–emotional variables. Although the role of childhood trauma in the development of psychological problems and the importance of cognitive factors in the experience of chronic pain has been well documented, prior studies have largely examined these factors in isolation. Consequently, the mediating mechanisms that explain these relationships have received relatively limited empirical attention.
Aims:The present study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological distress in individuals with chronic pain, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of pain self‑efficacy and pain catastrophizing.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design. The statistical population comprised all individuals with chronic pain (gastrointestinal, cardiac, and musculoskeletal) in the city of Neyshabur in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 255 participants were selected. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein, 2003), the Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler,2002),the Pain Self‑Efficacy Questionnaire (Nicholas,2007), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Sullivan et al.,1995). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and Path analysis in SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 24.
Results: The findings indicated significant associations among childhood trauma, pain self‑efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and psychological distress (p<.05). Although the direct effect of childhood trauma on psychological distress was not statistically significant, this effect was significant indirectly through pain self‑efficacy and pain catastrophizing. The proposed model demonstrated excellent fit indices.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the impact of childhood trauma on psychological distress in individuals with chronic pain is largely explained through modifiable cognitive factors. Accordingly, the development and implementation of clinical interventions focused on enhancing pain self‑efficacy and reducing pain catastrophizing may represent an effective strategy for alleviating psychological distress in this population, particularly among individuals with a history of early life trauma.
Aims:The present study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological distress in individuals with chronic pain, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of pain self‑efficacy and pain catastrophizing.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design. The statistical population comprised all individuals with chronic pain (gastrointestinal, cardiac, and musculoskeletal) in the city of Neyshabur in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 255 participants were selected. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein, 2003), the Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler,2002),the Pain Self‑Efficacy Questionnaire (Nicholas,2007), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Sullivan et al.,1995). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and Path analysis in SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 24.
Results: The findings indicated significant associations among childhood trauma, pain self‑efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and psychological distress (p<.05). Although the direct effect of childhood trauma on psychological distress was not statistically significant, this effect was significant indirectly through pain self‑efficacy and pain catastrophizing. The proposed model demonstrated excellent fit indices.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the impact of childhood trauma on psychological distress in individuals with chronic pain is largely explained through modifiable cognitive factors. Accordingly, the development and implementation of clinical interventions focused on enhancing pain self‑efficacy and reducing pain catastrophizing may represent an effective strategy for alleviating psychological distress in this population, particularly among individuals with a history of early life trauma.
Article number: 20
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/01/22 | Accepted: 2026/03/15 | Published: 2026/05/22
Received: 2026/01/22 | Accepted: 2026/03/15 | Published: 2026/05/22
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