The Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Predicting Pain Catastrophizing in Iranian Migraine Patients

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) in pain catastrophizing among migraine patients. A descriptive–correlational design was conducted on 200 migraine patients (124 women and 76 men) attending two pain clinics in Tehran between September and December 2024. Instruments included the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression with SPSS version 27. Correlation results showed a significant negative relationship between pain catastrophizing and cognitive reappraisal (r=-0.48, p<0.01) and a significant positive relationship between pain catastrophizing and expressive suppression (r=0.52, p<0.01). The regression model was significant (F(2,197)=59.42, p<0.01), explaining 38% of the variance in pain catastrophizing. Cognitive reappraisal was a negative predictor (β=-0.34, p<0.01), while expressive suppression was a positive predictor (β=0.39, p<0.01) of pain catastrophizing. The findings highlight the critical role of emotion regulation strategies in explaining pain catastrophizing among migraine patients. Strengthening cognitive reappraisal and reducing reliance on suppression can help decrease pain catastrophizing and improve patients’ quality of life.