Comparison of the effects of perceived self-efficacy on coping with chronic cancer pain and coping with chronic low back pain

Objective: The purposes of this study were to explore the differences between chronic cancer pain and chronic low back pain with respect to (a) the use of coping strategies to manage pain and (b) the relationship between self-efficacy for attenuating pain and pain outcomes. Design: Descriptive correlational design. Patients: Eighty-five patients experiencing chronic low back pain (n = 85) and 88 patients with chronic cancer pain (n = 88) were recruited for this study. Outcome Measures: Modified Coping Strategies Questionnaire, self-efficacy expectancies, and the Brief Pain Inventory. Results and Conclusions: The major findings of this study were that (a) patients with chronic cancer pain reported significantly lower pain intensity and pain interference than did patients with chronic low back pain; (b) the most frequently used coping strategies were almost the same between the low back pain group and the cancer pain group; (c) for both chronic cancer pain and chronic low back pain groups, patients' perceived self-efficacy was significantly inversely correlated with pain intensity and pain interference with daily life; and (d) patients' use of coping strategies was positively correlated with pain intensity and pain interference with daily life. These findings were discussed in terms of implications for clinical practice and future research.