The purpose of the study was to investigate the structure of coping with chronic pain and to develop a standardised, reliable and valid ~t to measure coping with chronic pain. The use of this instrument as a measure of change in the evaluation of a local Pain Management Programe was investigated. The Pain Coping Questionnaire was developed from analysis of responses of 298 chronic pain patients to a self-report questionnaire concerned with coping with chronic pain. Following empirical psychometric investigations of reliability and validity, four psychologically meaningful dimensions were identified. One dimension, the General Coping Measure, was a measure of psycho-social adjustment to chronic pain. Three dimensions measured beliefs in the use of cognitive and behavioural pain coping strategies. One dimension, Active Coping Strategies, measured active pain coping strategies. Two dimensions, Avoidance and Use of Drugs, measured passive pain coping strategies. Belief in the use of active pain coping strategies was predictive of good psycho-social adjustment. Belief in the use of passive pain coping strategies was predictive of poor psycho-social adjustment. The results from outco~e studies indicated that the Pain Coping Questionnaire was a sensitive measure of change. The Pain Manag~.ment Programne had beneficial effects with respect to short-term outcome. Limitations were discussed. It was concluded that the Pain Coping Questionnaire represents an original contribution that is likely to have broad applications in the assessment and treatment of chronic pain patients.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Göteborg University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Göteborg University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.