Hingley, Nina (2018) Exploring the Relationship between Pain Intensity, Alexithymia, and Psychological Distress. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Pain is a multifaceted construct with sensory and emotional aspects. Frequently persisting, pain is a significant burden on the public health system. It has significant personal and economical implications for individuals and the greater community. Alexithymia is a form of emotional dysregulation believed to exist through the experience of childhood trauma and neglect. Observed emotional dysfunction included externally oriented thinking and difficulty describing and identifying feelings. Alexithymia frequently co-exists with pain and has close associations with psychological distress. Alexithymia, psychological distress, and pain have known relationships with childhood trauma and neglect. The aims of the study were to explore the relationships between pain intensity, alexithymia, and psychological distress. The study design was cross-sectional utilizing a convenience sample from social networks, fibromyalgia support groups, and USQ students. A link was provided to participants, allowing two months to complete the self-report questionnaire. The research comprised of five individual questionnaires measuring pain intensity and quality, psychological distress, alexithymia, and somatization along with demographic data. Additional questions were asked regarding medical diagnoses, treatment, and pain triggers. Data analysis revealed significant positive correlations between all three variables, with stronger associations observed between pain intensity and psychological distress, and psychological distress and alexithymia. In a multiple regression model, psychological distress contributed significantly to the variance in pain intensity, whereas alexithymia did not. There was no significant indirect effect of alexithymia on pain intensity through psychological distress, supporting a full mediation model. Early identification of psychological distress and alexithymia in a pain population would lead to better treatment planning, taking into account individual biopsychosocial circumstances, resulting in better pain outcomes.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Zahra Izadikhah |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2025 01:27 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2025 01:27 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Alexithymia, Pain, Pain Intensity, Psychological Distress, Mediation |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52415 |
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