Locus of pain control and coping with pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The purpose of the investigation was to establish the relationship between beliefs about pain control and pain coping strategies and predictors of pain coping strategies. 103 patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in the study – 59 were women, 43 men. The mean of age was 38.1. Beliefs about Pain Control (BPCQ) prepared by Skevington and Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire developed by Rosenstiel and Keefe were used in the study. The results indicated on the differentiation in choice of pain coping strategies dependently from beliefs about pain control and revealed predictors for two pain coping strategies. Predictor of diverting attention appeared internal control and predictors of catastrophizing appeared all three kinds of pain control