Physical Self-Efficacy and Alexithymia in Women with Chronic Intractable Back Pain

This study explores the relationship between chronic intractable back pain and physical self-efficacy and alexithymia in 112 women sampled from a large university-based health center. Fifty-nine women suffering from chronic back pain were compared with 53 control subjects. Results note that women with chronic intractable back pain had significantly higher scores on the measure of alexithymia and lower scores on the measure of physical self-efficacy compared with control subjects. The predictive model was useful in correctly classifying 81.4% of back pain subjects. Perceived self-presentation confidence was protective, and being married and increased age were associated with the risk of having chronic back pain. (C) 2009 by the American Society for Pain Management Nursing