Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D. in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran,
3
Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
4
Department of Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22098/jrp.2024.15043.1233
Abstract
Chronic pain is a multifaceted condition influenced by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, with personality traits playing a key role in shaping individual experiences. This study endeavors to investigate the differences in temperament and character traits among individuals with varying degrees of chronic pain severity. Conducted as a descriptive and causal-comparative study, the research focused on patients with chronic pain attending pain clinics and physiotherapy centers in Tehran between 2022 and 2023. A purposive sample of 130 individuals experiencing low levels of pain and 130 individuals experiencing high levels of pain participated in the study. Participants completed questionnaires assessing chronic pain severity using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, and personality traits using the Temperament and Character Inventory. Data analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of variance with SPSS24. The findings revealed significant differences in temperament and character components between the two groups (P<0.01). Patients experiencing higher levels of chronic pain exhibited elevated levels of harm avoidance (F=761.740) and novelty seeking (F=399.756), alongside decreased levels of reward dependence (F=564.723), persistence (F=243.040), self-directedness (F=291.953), cooperativeness (F=452.232), and self-transcendence (F=285.586). The results of this study revealed that individuals with higher levels of chronic pain exhibit elevated harm avoidance and novelty seeking, along with lower reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. These differences highlight the significant influence of personality traits on chronic pain experiences. The findings can inform the development of personalized pain management strategies to improve the quality of life for these patients.
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