Cognitive and personality aspects of perceived pain among chronic pain patients in Nigeria

Little information is available on the cognitive factor and personality trait aspects of perceived pain. This is true particularly for chronic pain patients in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived pain among 255 chronic patients undergoing treatment at a specialized dental care facility. Cognitive factor (pain beliefs) and personality trait were studied. Belief that pain is medicine-related (β -.12; t =-1.97; p <.05), belief that pain is constant (β = 30; t =4.70; p <.01) and belief in self-blame for pain (β =14; t =2.26; p <.05) independently predicted perceived pain. All the predictor variables of pain beliefs subscales (spiritual, medical, permanent, constant and self-blame) jointly predicted perceived pain F [5, 249] = 6.95; <.01) with R² =.12. However, none of the personality factors significantly independently predicted pain; and all the personality factors as predictor variables did not j ointly predict perceived pain (F [5, 249] = 0.50; pns). These results indicate that the belief that pain is medicine-related, belief in pain constancy and self-blame for pain are important predictors of perceived pain. It was recommended that optimal care of chronic pain patients can best be achieved by cross-disciplinary efforts, involving the physicians, dentists and clinical psychologists.