Development and Validation of a Daily Pain Catastrophizing Scale

Development and Validation of a Daily Pain Catastrophizing Scale Based Measure

This study sought to develop and validate a brief, daily version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale.

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS; 13 items; factors: rumination, helplessness, magnification) (Sullivan 1995) measures trait catastrophizing in the context of actual or anticipated pain. Currently, there is no validated tool for measuring pain catastrophizing at the daily level. Lack of a validated daily measure stands as a barrier for studies that aim to characterize mechanisms of pain treatment and how PC adaptation / change occurs.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or above
2. Chronic pain of any etiology
3. Online access
4. Ability to participate in daily measurements over 14 days

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Lack of ability to answer questionnaires and daily catastrophizing captures, at the discretion of study staff.