Abstract

The present study was designed to examine the effect of dispositional optimism and mood state on chronic pain. A total of 118 undergraduate students with pain syndrome(48 females and 36 males) were selected and divided into higher and lower dispositional optimism groups on optimism scores. Then subjects wase tested individually in a small room with sessions lasting approximately half hour. After the first minute of specific music(happy or sad music) exposure, participants were instructed to recall either a happy or a sad event from their life and to write about it in detail. Finally, the participants was completed Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Mood Questionnaire. The employed statistical methods was 2x2 ANOVA(high or low-level optimism/happy or sad mood). The results of this study are as follows. First, higher dispositional optimism group reported significantly lower pain sensory and intensity than lower dispositional optimism group. Second, happy mood group reported significantly lower pain sensory and intensity than sad mood group. Third, interaction between dispositional optimism and mood state was not significant. The result suggests that higher dispositional optimism group and happy mood are related to positive effect on chronic pain. However, there were no significant interaction effect between dispositional optimism and mood state on chronic pain. Therefore, it would rather improve both personality trait and situational factors than one factor in chronic pain. This results will be useful in planning positive psychology care services for chronic pain patients.