| Self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000) suggests that autonomy is essential for optimal psychological well-being. Research also suggests that an autonomy supportive environment in health care is associated with improved health behaviors and better physical health in diabetes patients. The current research examined the role of autonomy in pain. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, undergraduate students (N = 89) participated in a laboratory experiment. During the lab session, participants first completed a baseline cold-pressor task. They were then assigned to one of the three motivation orientation conditions (autonomy, controlled, and neutral), which was primed using a scrambled sentences task. Finally, they underwent a second cold-pressor task. Their pain responses were measured during the cold-pressor task. ANCOVA and two-way mixed ANOVA findings suggested that there was no significant effect of motivation orientation on pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain intensity or task unpleasantness. In Study 2, individuals with a diagnosed chronic pain condition were recruited from a Facebook page. Participants (N = 152) completed an online survey that included measures of autonomy support, pain, and well-being outcomes. After 3 months 55% of the participants (N = 84) completed the same survey again. Residualized regression analyses suggested that perceived autonomy support from important others predicted lower pain intensity after three months. Furthermore, basic need satisfaction mediated the longitudinal association between autonomy support and pain intensity. Autonomy support was also associated with greater well-being longitudinally, but no significant effect was observed in residualized analyses. The associations of autonomy support with other constructs such as pain acceptance, chronic pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing and pain coping behaviors were also investigated. |
