Structural Pattern of Perceived Pain Based on Brain/ Behavioral Systems and Social Support Mediated by Distress Tolerance

The aim of this study was to determine the structural pattern of perceived pain based on brain/ behavioral systems and social support mediated by distress tolerance.

The research method was descriptive-correlational and the statistical population of the present study included all migraine patients referred to Bouali Hospital and two neurology clinics in Tehran in 2020, from which 374 patients were selected by convenience sampling method. Research tools include Behavioral Inhibition/ Activation Systems Scales by Carver & White (1994); Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support by Zimet et al. (1988); Distress Tolerance Scale by Simons, & Gaher (2005) and Chronic Pain Questionnaire by Mohammadian (1995). The data of the present study were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Amos software.

The results indicated that the structural model of the research fit with the collected data. Indirect path coefficient between behavioral activation system and perceived pain was negative (P=0.001, β=-0.109). The indirect path coefficient between perceived social support and perceived pain was negative (P=0.001, β=0.145).

It seems that perceived social support and behavioral activation system motivate the individual to endure pain-related distress in order to reduce it. Based on the results of the present study, interventions that modulate the manifestations of brain / behavioral systems and provide support groups to provide social support to patients with migraine pain are suggested.