Ramírez-Maestre C, Esteve R, López-Martínez AE, Serrano-Ibáñez ER, Ruiz-Párraga GT, Peters M. Goal Adjustment and Well-Being: The Role of Optimism in Patients with Chronic Pain.
Ann Behav Med 2019;
53:597-607. [PMID:
30184082 PMCID:
PMC6546937 DOI:
10.1093/abm/kay070]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Chronic pain directly or indirectly interferes with valued personal goals. Goal adjustment plays a central role in patients’ adaptation. Studies on the relationship between optimism and goal regulation have shown that people with high dispositional optimism adjust their goals in a flexible way, and that flexible goal adjustment promotes quality of life.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship among optimism, goal adjustment, and adaptation in patients with chronic pain.
Methods
A sample of 258 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain completed questionnaires on optimism, reengagement, disengagement, flexibility, tenacity, rumination, purpose in life, well-being, pain intensity, daily functioning, and impairment.
Results
Structural equation modeling analysis showed that optimism had a positive association with reengagement, flexibility, and tenacity, and a negative association with disengagement. Disengagement was positively associated with rumination, whereas reengagement, flexibility, and tenacity were associated with higher levels of purpose in life, which were strongly associated with adaptation in patients with chronic pain.
Conclusions
This study supports the conclusions of previous research on the role of goal adjustment as a mediator variable between optimism and well-being.
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