The relationship of attachment and patient-provider relationship quality to three empirically derived chronic-pain clusters

Turk & Rudy's (1988) empirically derived clusters of chronic-pain patients were originally created using psychological and social data from the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) (Kerns, Turk, & Rudy, 1985). Labels for the clusters---dysfunctional, interpersonally distressed, and adaptive coper---were informed by salient distinguishing features. These chronic-pain subgroups have demonstrated robustness in populations with different medical diagnoses and using different instruments. Initial studies suggested this taxonomy have merit for tailoring chronic-pain assessment and treatment. Despite this, very little is known about the characteristics of individuals within each group.; The relationship between attachment style and patient-provider relationship quality to each of three chronic-pain subgroups was examined. The sample population consisted of 141 chronic-pain patients collected at an outpatient neurology clinic located in a mid-sized city in the Midwest. Fearful and secure attachment styles were moderately related to the interpersonally distressed and adaptive coper subgroups. No relationships were demonstrated between dismissing or preoccupied attachment styles and the chronic-pain subgroups.; The present study did not support a relationship between patient-provider relationship quality and any of the subgroups. However, a relationship was found between attachment and patient-provider relationship quality with individuals in the secure attachment group reporting better patient-provider relationship quality.; The implications and limitations of this study's findings are discussed, along with recommendations for future research. Thoughts regarding contribution counseling psychology can make to the study of attachment and chronic pain conclude this study.