Abstract
The validity of the Cognitive Coping Strategy Inventory (CCSI; Butler et al., 1989) was tested in a prospective fashion. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Some were “matched” to a strategy for which they received a high CCSI score, some were “mismatched” to a strategy for which they received a low CCSI score, and some were given a choice of strategies. Those subjects using a matched strategy obtained better threshold and tolerance times on the cold pressor than subjects who used a mismatched strategy. Despite clear differences in exposure to the cold pressor these conditions did not differ from each other in self-reported levels of pain. It was concluded that the CCSI appears to be a valid and useful tool for selecting a coping strategy to help particular individuals manage acute pain. Though the CCSI is relatively easy to administer and score, the comparative costs and benefits of using it must be weighed against the somewhat more efficient approach of simply offering the subject a choice of treatments. Subjects given a choice of strategies performed as well as subjects matched to a strategy on the basis of CCSI scores.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Akins, T., Hollandsworth, J. G., and O'Connell, S. J. (1982). Visual and verbal modes of information processing and their relation to the effectiveness of cognitively-based anxiety reduction techniques.Behav. Res. and Ther. 20: 261–268.
Altmaier, E. M., Ross, S. L., Leary, M. R., and Thornbrough, M. (1982). Matching stress inoculation's treatment components to clients' anxiety mode.J. Counsel. Psychol. 29: 331–334.
Borkovec, T. D., and Nau, S. D. (1972). Credibility of analog therapy rationales.J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat. 3: 257–260.
Butler, R. W., Damarin, F. L., Beaulieu, C., Schwebel, A. I., and Thorn, B. E. (1989). Assessing cognitive coping strategies for acute postsurgical pain.Psychol. Assess. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 1: 41–45.
Byrne, D. (1961). The repression-sensitization scale: Rationale, reliability, and validity.J. Personal. 29: 334–349.
Devine, D. A., and Fernald, P. S. (1973). Outcome effects of receiving a preferred, randomly assigned, or nonpreferred therapy.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 41: 104–107.
Efran, J. S., Chorney, R. L., Ascher, L. M., and Lukens, V. D. (1989). Coping styles, paradox, and the cold pressor task.J. Behav. Med. 12: 91–103.
Glasgow, R. E., Klepac, R. K., Dowling, J., and Rokke, P. D. (1982).Measures of self-efficacy in pain tolerance. Paper presented at the annual AABT Convention, Los Angles, CA.
Gordon, R. M. (1976). Effects of volunteering and responsibility on the perceived value and effectiveness of a clinical treatment.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 44: 799–801.
Keppel, G. (1973).Design and Analysis: A Researcher's Handbook. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Klepac, R. K., Dowling, J., and Hauge, G. (1981). Sensitivity of the McGill Pain Questionnaire to intensity and quality of laboratory pain.Pain 10: 199–207.
Klepac, R. K., Dowling, J., Rokke, P., Dodge, L., and Schafer, L. (1981). Interview vs. paper-and-pencil administration of the McGill Pain Questionnaire.Pain 11: 241–246.
Martelli, M. F., Auerbach, S. M., Alexander, J., and Mercuri, L. G. (1987). Stress management in the health care setting: Matching interventions with patient coping styles.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 55: 201–207.
McCaul, K. D., and Malott, J. M. (1984). Distraction and coping with pain.Psychol. Bull. 95: 516–533.
Melzack, R. (1975). The McGill Pain Questionnaire: Major properties and scoring methods.Pain 1: 277–299.
Mendonca, P. J., and Brehm, S. S. (1983). Effects of choice on behavioral treatment of overweight children.J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 1: 343–358.
Miller, S. M. (1987). Monitoring and blunting: Validation of a questionnaire to assess styles of information seeking under threat.J. Personal. Soc. Psychol. 52: 345–353.
Rokke, P. D., and Lall, R. (1992). The role of choice in enhancing tolerance to acute pain.Cognit. Ther. Res. 16: 53–65.
Rokke, P. D., Carter, A. S., Rehm, L. P., and Veltum, L. G. (1990). Comparative credibility of current treatments for depression.Psychotherapy 27: 235–242.
Rokke, P. D., Al Absi, M., Lall, R., and Oswald, K. (1991). When does a choice of coping strategies help? The interaction of choice and Locus of Control.J. Behav. Med. 14: 491–504.
Tan, S. (1982). Cognitive and cognitive-behavioral methods for pain control: A selective review.Pain 12: 201–228.
Turk, D. C., Meichenbaum, D., and Genest, M. (1983).Pain and Behavioral Medicine: A Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective. The Guilford Press, New York.
Turner, J. A., and Chapman, C. R. (1982). Psychological interventions for chronic pain: A critical review. II. Operant conditioning, hypnosis, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.Pain 12: 23–46.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rokke, P.D., al'Absi, M. Matching pain coping strategies to the individual: A prospective validation of the Cognitive Coping Strategy Inventory. J Behav Med 15, 611–625 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844859
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844859