Abstract

DAMAS, Joana; MENESES, Rute  and  REBELO, Virgínia. Emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in chronic pain. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2024, vol.25, n.1, pp.162-172.  Epub Mar 31, 2024. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/24psd250115.

In individuals with chronic pain (CP), emotions play a major role and can interfere with the perception of intensity and at a cognitive level, with the presence of dysfunctional beliefs and, sometimes, a lack of confidence that it is possible to overcome the painful moment. The aims of the study were therefore: to characterize the emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy (SE) of individuals with CP; and to explore the relationship between EI and SE as a function of CP. A total of 120 adult patients from the Psychology-Pain clinic of a public hospital answered a Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire developed for this purpose, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Self-Efficacy Module for Pain, prepared for this study (cross-sectional study). Cognitive reappraisal (CR) and emotional suppression (ES) showed average values higher than those described in the literature. The SE of the sample was lower than the state of the art and the average for the Portuguese population. SE showed a relationship with ES in individuals with moderate pain and with CR in severe pain. The results reinforce the relevance of focusing on EI and SE in interventions with individuals with CP.

Keywords : Emotional intelligence; Chronic pain; Self-efficacy; Self-efficacy for chronic pain.

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