Association between optimism and self-reported facial pain

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the association between optimism and self-reported facial pain. Material and Methods. Data were obtained for 5,696 subjects born in 1966 in Northern Finland and included in the study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Data on facial pain were collected using a questionnaire. Optimism was measured using the revised version of the Life Orientation Test. Results. The data showed that optimism was inversely associated with facial pain. Associations were found only among non-depressive subjects. Conclusions. It can be concluded that optimism is an independent psychosocial determinant of pain experience that should be taken into account in assessing the prognosis of facial pain and its treatment.