Table 3:

Associations Between Pain Belief Subscale Scores and Intent to Try Three Physician Recommended Pain Treatments

	Doctor recommends taking strong pain reliever with potential adverse side effects	Doctor recommends seeing a physical therapist to learn exercises as a way of reducing pain	Doctor recommends seeing a psychologist to learn psychological techniques as a way of reducing pain
Pharmacological subscale1	−.25 (0.02)	−.07 (0.48)	−.10 (0.44)
Physical subscale2	.25 (0.11)	.50 (<0.001)	.31 (0.09)
Psychological subscale3	−.35 (0.01)	.19 (0.12)	.66 (<0.001)
Fatalistic subscale4	−.02 (0.88)	−.21 (0.04)	−.22 (0.11)

Results reflect regression coefficients and associated p values.

Corresponding pain beliefs items for each subscale:

¹Pharmacological subscale: Pain medications are dangerous. I know someone who has been harmed because of taking a pain medication. I take as little pain medicine as possible because they are addictive.

²Physical subscale: General exercise is a good strategy for relieving pain. Physicians should educate patients about safe ways to exercise as a means of managing pain. Avoiding physical activity is a good way to reduce pain.

³Psychological subscale: Using relaxation techniques helps to take my mind off of the pain. Pain can be reduced by focusing the mind on other things. When I am relaxed, I feel less pain. Physicians should educate patients about ways to use relaxation to help reduce pain.

⁴Fatalistic subscale: One should expect to have pain by the time you get to be in your 80’s or 90’s. I don’t believe there is any treatment that can make my pain better. Once you develop a pain problem it will only get worse.