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Testing the relation between dispositional optimism and conditioned pain modulation: does ethnicity matter?

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Abstract

Greater dispositional optimism has been related to less severe pain; however, whether optimism is associated with endogenous pain modulation has not yet been examined. The beneficial effects of dispositional optimism often vary according to cultural dynamics. Thus, assessing optimism–pain relationships across different ethnic groups is warranted. This study sought to examine the association between optimism and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and test whether this association differs according to ethnicity. Optimism and CPM were assessed in a sample of healthy, ethnically diverse young adults. CPM was determined by comparing pressure pain thresholds obtained before and during exposure to a cold pressor task. All participants completed a validated measure of dispositional optimism. Greater reported optimism was significantly associated with enhanced CPM, and the strength of this association did not vary according to individuals’ ethnic background. These findings suggest that an optimistic disposition may potentiate endogenous pain inhibition.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported with funds from the Graduate Student Association at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (B.R.G.) and by National Institutes of Health training grant T32NS045551-06 (B.R.G.).

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There are no conflicts of interest, or any financial interests, to report with regard to this work for any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Center for Pain Research, University of Florida College of Dentistry, 1395 Center Drive, Dental Tower, Room D2-13, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Burel R. Goodin, Christopher D. King, Toni L. Glover, Kimberly Sibille & Roger B. Fillingim

  2. California School of Professional Psychology-San Francisco, Alliant International University, San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA

    Tarek Kronfli

  3. College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Toni L. Glover

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  1. Burel R. Goodin
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Correspondence to Burel R. Goodin.

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Goodin, B.R., Kronfli, T., King, C.D. et al. Testing the relation between dispositional optimism and conditioned pain modulation: does ethnicity matter?. J Behav Med 36, 165–174 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9411-7

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