Differences in physical pain, psychological functioning, and negative impression management across gender and trauma group among three Australian compensation-seeking samples
Date
2010
Authors
Ness, Alex Adam
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Abstract
This study sought to examine physical pain and psychological presentations of Australian compensation-seeking samples comprising motor vehicle accident survivors (n=242), workplace accident survivors (n=151), and victims of crime (n=94). A major objective was to investigate whether physical pain, prevalence of PTSD and major depressive disorder, and psychological functioning differ between people from these trauma groups. This study also examined whether there were gender differences in reported physical pain, psychological diagnoses, and psychological functioning. Furthermore, given that compensation-seeking samples were examined in this study, another objective was to establish the extent to which negative impression management underpinned reported physical pain and psychological functioning. This study analysed de-identified archival data (N=487) from a psychology practice in an Australian city. Findings indicated that both motor vehicle accident survivors and workplace accident survivors reported more physical pain than victims of crime. A diagnosis of both PTSD and major depressive disorder was more prevalent among victims of crime compared to the other trauma groups. Victims of crime also had higher mean scores on Personality Assessment Inventory scales that are conceptually related to PTSD symptomatology than both motor vehicle accident survivors and workplace accident survivors. Additionally, findings offered limited evidence to suggest that negative impression management underpinned reported physical pain. However, findings offered evidence to suggest that negative impression management underpinned reported psychological functioning. Findings in this study pose practical implications for health professionals when assessing and treating people seeking compensation for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, and criminal victimisation.
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Thesis (MPhil)
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Open Access
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