Coping with neck and low back pain in the general population

This study had 2 objectives: (a) to assess the psychometric properties of the Pain Management Inventory (PMI; G. K. Brown & P. M. Nicassio, 1987) with individuals in the general population with neck or low back pain, and (b) to assess the relationship between pain severity and coping. Data were taken from a mailed survey of a random sample of adults residing in Saskatchewan, Canada. Results validated the 2-factor structure of the PMI and provided evidence for the internal consistency of the coping subscales. Regression analyses revealed that passive coping was associated with being married, greater pain severity, depression, and poor health. Active coping was associated with female gender, higher education, less depression, good health, and frequent exercise. This study provides psychometric data to support the use of the PMI and information about factors associated with use of active and passive coping strategies in pain sufferers.