Pain Self Perception Scale (PSPS)
Chronic Pain is a global issue affecting more than 1.5 billion people with a heightened risk of suicide among those experiencing persistent pain. Despite this, routine suicide risk screening for chronic pain patients is lacking and current assessment scales often yield false positives. The Pain Self Perception Scale (PSPS) aims to address this by assessing mental defeat, a key factor associated with suicide risk in chronic pain patients.
What is Mental Defeat?
Mental defeat in the context of chronic pain is defined as negative appraisals of self in relation to pain.
About the PSPS
The Pain Self Perception Scale measures mental defeat in relation to pain with a specific focus on how it impacts the self and one’s identity. It requires a person to reflect on a recent episode of pain and is therefore concerned with one’s sense of self rather than a person's projection of the future.
Resources
The WITHIN team as part of the Warwick Sleep and Pain lab investigates the concept of mental defeat in chronic pain using the PSPS. Have a look at our latest research.
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Listen to the WITHIN team discuss their research on investigating Mental Defeat in Chronic pain in a conversation with Paul Evans from Pain Concern.