Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine 6/2011

01-12-2011

Prayer and pain: the mediating role of positive re-appraisal

Auteurs: Jessie Dezutter, Amy Wachholtz, Jozef Corveleyn

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Uitgave 6/2011

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

The present study explored in a sample of Flemish pain patients the role of prayer as a possible individual factor in pain management. The focus on prayer as a personal religious factor fits with the current religious landscape in Western-Europe where personal religious factors are more important than organizational dimensions of religion. Our study is framed in the transactional theory of stress and coping by testing first, whether prayer was related with pain severity and pain tolerance and second, whether cognitive positive re-appraisal was a mediating mechanism in the association between prayer and pain. We expected that prayer would be related to pain tolerance in reducing the impact of the pain on patient’s daily life, but not necessarily to pain severity. A cross-sectional questionnaire design was adopted in order to measure demographics, prayer, pain outcomes (i.e., pain severity and pain tolerance), and cognitive positive re-appraisal. Two hundred and two chronic pain (CP) patients, all members of a Flemish national patients association, completed the questionnaires. Correlational analyses showed that prayer was significantly related with pain tolerance, but not with pain severity. However, ancillary analyses revealed a moderational effect of religious affiliation in the relationship between prayer and pain severity as well as pain tolerance. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that cognitive positive re-appraisal was indeed an underlying mechanism in the relationship between prayer and pain tolerance. This study affirms the importance to distinguish between pain severity and pain tolerance, and indicates that prayer can play a role in pain management, especially for religious pain patients. Further, the findings can be framed within the transactional theory of stress and coping as the results indicate that positive re-appraisal might be an important underlying mechanism in the association between prayer and pain.
Literatuur
go back to reference Ai, A., Park, C., Huang, B., Rodgers, W., & Tice, T. (2007). Psychosocial mediation of religious coping styles: A study of short-term psychological distress following cardiac surgery. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 866–882.CrossRef Ai, A., Park, C., Huang, B., Rodgers, W., & Tice, T. (2007). Psychosocial mediation of religious coping styles: A study of short-term psychological distress following cardiac surgery. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 33, 866–882.CrossRef
go back to reference Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Aiken, L. S., & West, S. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
go back to reference Andersson, G. (2008). Chronic pain and praying to a higher power: Useful or useless. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 176–187.PubMedCrossRef Andersson, G. (2008). Chronic pain and praying to a higher power: Useful or useless. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 176–187.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in Social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.PubMedCrossRef Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in Social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Breivik, H., Collett, B., Ventafridda, V., Cohen, R., & Gallacher, D. (2006). Survey of chronic pain in Europe: prevalence, impact on daily life, and treatment. European Journal of Pain, 10, 287–333.PubMedCrossRef Breivik, H., Collett, B., Ventafridda, V., Cohen, R., & Gallacher, D. (2006). Survey of chronic pain in Europe: prevalence, impact on daily life, and treatment. European Journal of Pain, 10, 287–333.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Bush, E., Rye, M., Brant, C., Emery, E., Pargament, K., & Riessinger, C. (1999). Religious coping with chronic pain. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 24, 249–260.PubMedCrossRef Bush, E., Rye, M., Brant, C., Emery, E., Pargament, K., & Riessinger, C. (1999). Religious coping with chronic pain. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 24, 249–260.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Büssing, A., Michalsen, A., Balzat, H. J., Grünther, R. A., Ostermann, T., Neugebauer, E. A. M., & Matthieseen, P. F. (2009). Are spirituality and religiosity resources for patients with chronic pain conditions? Pain Medicine, 10, 327–339.PubMedCrossRef Büssing, A., Michalsen, A., Balzat, H. J., Grünther, R. A., Ostermann, T., Neugebauer, E. A. M., & Matthieseen, P. F. (2009). Are spirituality and religiosity resources for patients with chronic pain conditions? Pain Medicine, 10, 327–339.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Büssing, A., Ostermann, T., & Koenig, H. (2007). Relevance of religion and spirituality in german patients with chronic diseases. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 37, 39–57.PubMedCrossRef Büssing, A., Ostermann, T., & Koenig, H. (2007). Relevance of religion and spirituality in german patients with chronic diseases. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 37, 39–57.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Carver, C., Scheier, M., & Weintraub, J. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Jornal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267–283.CrossRef Carver, C., Scheier, M., & Weintraub, J. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Jornal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267–283.CrossRef
go back to reference Cattell, R. (1966). The scree test for the number of factors. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 1, 245–276.CrossRef Cattell, R. (1966). The scree test for the number of factors. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 1, 245–276.CrossRef
go back to reference Cronan, T., Kaplan, R., Posner, L., Blumberg, E., & Kozin, F. (1989). Prevalence of the use of unconventional remedies for arthritis in a metropolitan community. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 32, 1604–1607.PubMedCrossRef Cronan, T., Kaplan, R., Posner, L., Blumberg, E., & Kozin, F. (1989). Prevalence of the use of unconventional remedies for arthritis in a metropolitan community. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 32, 1604–1607.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Dezutter, J., Robertson, L., Luyckx, K., & Hutsebaut, D. (2010). Life satisfaction in chronic pain patients: The stress-buffering role of centrality of religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 49, 507–516.PubMedCrossRef Dezutter, J., Robertson, L., Luyckx, K., & Hutsebaut, D. (2010). Life satisfaction in chronic pain patients: The stress-buffering role of centrality of religion. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 49, 507–516.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Dobbelaere, K., & Voyé, L. (2000). Religie en kerkbetrokkenheid: Ambivalentie en vervreemding [Religion and church involvement: Ambivalence and alienation]. In K. Dobbelaere, M. Elchardus, J. Kerkhofs, L. Voyé, & B. Bawin-Legros (Eds.), Verloren zekerheid: De Belgen en hun waarden, overtuigingen en houdingen (pp. 117–152). Tielt: Lannoo. Dobbelaere, K., & Voyé, L. (2000). Religie en kerkbetrokkenheid: Ambivalentie en vervreemding [Religion and church involvement: Ambivalence and alienation]. In K. Dobbelaere, M. Elchardus, J. Kerkhofs, L. Voyé, & B. Bawin-Legros (Eds.), Verloren zekerheid: De Belgen en hun waarden, overtuigingen en houdingen (pp. 117–152). Tielt: Lannoo.
go back to reference Dunn, K., & Horgas, A. (2004). Religious and nonreligious coping in older adults experiencing chronic pain. Pain Management Nursing, 5, 19–28.PubMedCrossRef Dunn, K., & Horgas, A. (2004). Religious and nonreligious coping in older adults experiencing chronic pain. Pain Management Nursing, 5, 19–28.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Glover-Graf, N., Marini, I., Baker, J., & Buck, T. (2007). Religious and spiritual beliefs and practices of persons with chronic pain. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 51, 21–33.CrossRef Glover-Graf, N., Marini, I., Baker, J., & Buck, T. (2007). Religious and spiritual beliefs and practices of persons with chronic pain. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 51, 21–33.CrossRef
go back to reference Hank, K., & Schaan, B. (2008). Cross-national variations in the correlation between frequency of prayer and health among older Europeans. Research on Aging, 30, 35–54.CrossRef Hank, K., & Schaan, B. (2008). Cross-national variations in the correlation between frequency of prayer and health among older Europeans. Research on Aging, 30, 35–54.CrossRef
go back to reference Hollywell, C., & Walker, J. (2008). Private prayer as a suitable intervention for hospitalised patients: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 637–651.PubMed Hollywell, C., & Walker, J. (2008). Private prayer as a suitable intervention for hospitalised patients: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 637–651.PubMed
go back to reference Keefe, F., Crisson, J., Urban, B., & Williams, D. (1990). Analyzing chronic low back pain: The relative contribution of pain coping strategies. Pain, 40, 293–301.PubMedCrossRef Keefe, F., Crisson, J., Urban, B., & Williams, D. (1990). Analyzing chronic low back pain: The relative contribution of pain coping strategies. Pain, 40, 293–301.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Koenig, H., Mc Cullough, M., & Larson, D. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford: University Press.CrossRef Koenig, H., Mc Cullough, M., & Larson, D. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford: University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Krause, N. (2004). Assessing the relationships among prayer expectancies, race, and self-esteem in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 395–408.CrossRef Krause, N. (2004). Assessing the relationships among prayer expectancies, race, and self-esteem in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 395–408.CrossRef
go back to reference Lazarus, R., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer. Lazarus, R., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.
go back to reference Masters, K., & Spielmans, G. (2007). Prayer and health: Review, meta-analysis, and research agenda. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 329–338.PubMedCrossRef Masters, K., & Spielmans, G. (2007). Prayer and health: Review, meta-analysis, and research agenda. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 329–338.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference McCullough, M., & Larson, D. (1999). Prayer. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment (pp. 85–110). Washington: American Psychological Association.CrossRef McCullough, M., & Larson, D. (1999). Prayer. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment (pp. 85–110). Washington: American Psychological Association.CrossRef
go back to reference Park, C. (2005). Religion as a meaning making framework in coping with life stress. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 707–729.CrossRef Park, C. (2005). Religion as a meaning making framework in coping with life stress. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 707–729.CrossRef
go back to reference Park, C. (2006). Exploring relations among religiousness, meaning, and adjustment to lifetime and current stressful encounters in later life. Anxiety, stress, and coping, 19, 33–45.CrossRef Park, C. (2006). Exploring relations among religiousness, meaning, and adjustment to lifetime and current stressful encounters in later life. Anxiety, stress, and coping, 19, 33–45.CrossRef
go back to reference Poloma, M., & Pendleton, B. (1991). The effects of prayer and prayer experiences on measures of general well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 71–83. Poloma, M., & Pendleton, B. (1991). The effects of prayer and prayer experiences on measures of general well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 71–83.
go back to reference Preacher, K., & Hayes, A. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in simple mediation models. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 36, 717–731.CrossRef Preacher, K., & Hayes, A. (2004). SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in simple mediation models. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 36, 717–731.CrossRef
go back to reference Rosenberg, E., Inginia, G., Chen, I., Mechaber, A., Wood, J., Faselis, C., et al. (2008). Complementary and alternative medicine use by primary care patients with chronic pain. Pain Medicine, 9, 1065–1072.PubMedCrossRef Rosenberg, E., Inginia, G., Chen, I., Mechaber, A., Wood, J., Faselis, C., et al. (2008). Complementary and alternative medicine use by primary care patients with chronic pain. Pain Medicine, 9, 1065–1072.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Rosenstiel, A., & Keefe, F. (1983). The use of coping strategies in chronic low back pain patients: Relationship to patient characteristics and current adjustment. Pain, 17, 33–44.PubMedCrossRef Rosenstiel, A., & Keefe, F. (1983). The use of coping strategies in chronic low back pain patients: Relationship to patient characteristics and current adjustment. Pain, 17, 33–44.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Roy, R. (2001). Social relations and chronic pain. New York: Plenum Publishers. Roy, R. (2001). Social relations and chronic pain. New York: Plenum Publishers.
go back to reference Shi, Q., Langer, G., Cohen, J., & Cleeland, C. (2007). People in pain: How do they seek relief? The Journal of Pain, 8, 624–636.PubMedCrossRef Shi, Q., Langer, G., Cohen, J., & Cleeland, C. (2007). People in pain: How do they seek relief? The Journal of Pain, 8, 624–636.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Turner, J., & Clancy, S. (1986). Strategies for coping with chronic low back pain: Relationships to pain and disability. Pain, 24, 355–364.PubMedCrossRef Turner, J., & Clancy, S. (1986). Strategies for coping with chronic low back pain: Relationships to pain and disability. Pain, 24, 355–364.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Tuttle, D., Shutty, M., & DeGood, D. (1991). Empirical dimensions of coping in chronic pain patients: A factorial analysis. Rehabilitation Psychology, 36, 179–187.CrossRef Tuttle, D., Shutty, M., & DeGood, D. (1991). Empirical dimensions of coping in chronic pain patients: A factorial analysis. Rehabilitation Psychology, 36, 179–187.CrossRef
go back to reference Von Korff, M., Ormel, J., Keefe, F., & Dworkin, S. (1992). Grading the severity of chronic pain. Pain, 50, 133–149.CrossRef Von Korff, M., Ormel, J., Keefe, F., & Dworkin, S. (1992). Grading the severity of chronic pain. Pain, 50, 133–149.CrossRef
go back to reference Wachholtz, A., & Pearce, M. (2009). Does spirituality as a coping mechanism help or hinder coping with chronic pain? Current Pain and Headache Reports, 13, 127–132.PubMedCrossRef Wachholtz, A., & Pearce, M. (2009). Does spirituality as a coping mechanism help or hinder coping with chronic pain? Current Pain and Headache Reports, 13, 127–132.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Wachholtz, A., Pearce, M., & Koenig, H. (2007). Exploring the relationship between spirituality, coping, and pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 311–318.PubMedCrossRef Wachholtz, A., Pearce, M., & Koenig, H. (2007). Exploring the relationship between spirituality, coping, and pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 311–318.PubMedCrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Prayer and pain: the mediating role of positive re-appraisal
Auteurs
Jessie Dezutter
Amy Wachholtz
Jozef Corveleyn
Publicatiedatum
01-12-2011
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Uitgave 6/2011
Print ISSN: 0160-7715
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3521
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-011-9348-2

Andere artikelen Uitgave 6/2011

Journal of Behavioral Medicine 6/2011 Naar de uitgave