Pain Catastrophizing Mediates the Relationship Between Trait Happiness and Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Current Pain

Relatively little research has examined the contributions of pain-specific factors, such as pain intensity, and normative factors, such as positive emotions, in predicting depression. This study characterized the independent contributions of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and trait happiness to depressive symptoms in 70 volunteers across three groups: two groups with current low back pain and those in a methadone maintenance treatment program. Results suggested no direct relationships between pain and either trait happiness or depressive symptoms, but participants reporting higher levels of trait happiness tended to report lower levels of depressive symptomatology, an effect mediated by lower levels of pain catastrophizing. Though unrelated to pain, trait happiness may alter pain-relevant outcomes through reduced catastrophizing levels.