“Pain-trait encompasses the traditional factors that scientists already believe increase the severity of chronic pain, such as catastrophizing about pain and fear of pain. Individuals with this dimension were more likely to report worse pain.

“Emote-trait, however, appeared to be protective; this dimension includes optimism, lower levels of neuroticism, and a capacity for mindfulness.

“According to the authors, Emote-trait “seems to offset and counteract the negative emotional impact of chronic pain.”

Medical News Today, Aug 22, 2019

I’m so pleased to see research involving psychology, social factors such as income, and neurology to find ways to address chronic pain. More of this please, science!

Check out the full article; it explains the research and findings in everyday terms, and includes a link to the original research, for those science minded among us.