Chronic pain and depression: Universal or personal helplessness?

Abstract

The study investigates beliefs about control and links it to the depression found in those with chronic pain. These beliefs are interpreted within the new model of learned helplessness which distinguishes personal helplessness from universal helplessness on the basis of attributions. Despite higher levels of depressive symptoms in the pain group, this was not reflected by higher levels of self-blame or beliefs in the actions of others, so personal helplessness was discounted. Higher beliefs in chance, lack of self-blame and correlations between chance, depression and pain support the presence of universal helplessness in this group. The reporting behavior of pain patients is discussed in the light of these findings.