KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The effectiveness of a hope intervention in coping with cold pressor pain

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Berg_Carla_J_2007_6599193.pdf (959.4Kb)
    Issue Date
    2007-05-31
    Author
    Berg, Carla J.
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Psychology
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The Gate Control Model posits that cognitions and affect play a critical role in the experience of pain. Thus, research has been aimed at illuminating psychological factors that impact pain experience and targeting psychological processes that may alleviate suffering associated with pain. Hope is one individual difference construct that has been found to be related to better pain coping, specifically longer pain tolerance, higher pain thresholds, and less reported pain severity (Snyder, Berg et al., 2005). Given these relationships, the present study sought to capitalize on the propensities of high-hope people by designing and testing the effectiveness of a hope-based intervention aimed at enhancing pain coping skills. This study used an experimental pain induction method, namely the cold pressor task, and a college-aged sample. A two (Condition: Hope Intervention vs. Control) x two (Gender: Male vs. Female) factorial design was used to evaluate this multi-component intervention, involving a guided imagery segment, dialogue, skills enhancement, and a practice worksheet. Results indicated that the intervention was successful in significantly increasing hope from pre- to post-intervention, particularly among females.

    Furthermore, those in the intervention condition demonstrated greater pain tolerance. Yet, those in the intervention condition also reported greater pain severity and more sensory and effective characteristics of the pain. However, further examination of this data suggest that this relationship should be interpreted with caution, as both the hope intervention group and control group showed increased error in pain severity ratings at the extreme ends of the pain tolerance distribution. Nonetheless, we can speculate about some possible reasons that this may have occurred. For example, this intervention may have involved processes related to mindfulness. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
    Description
    Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of Kansas, Psychology, 2007.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/31957
    Collections
    • Dissertations [4475]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps