Emotional competence of patients with chronic pain: A self- and third-party assessment

Research question: The aim of the study is to assess the status quo of emotional competence in people with chronic pain. How do patients experience themselves regarding to their ability to perceive, express, and regulate emotions? And does this assessment coincide with the assessment of emotional competence (EC) by mental health professionals? Methods: The study took place in the context of interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy at an outpatient clinic in N = 184 adult German-speaking individuals with non-cancer-related chronic pain. EC was assessed at the end of therapy using the self- and third-party assessment scales of the Emotional Competence Questionnaire. The external assessment was performed by the mental health team. Standard scores were created using the norm sample provided by questionnaires. These were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: Self-perceived EC was average (M = 99.31; SD = 7.78). The mental health professionals predominantly rated the emotional competence of the patients significantly lower (M = 94,70; SD = 7,81; F(1.179) = 35,73; p < 0.001; η = 0.17). Emotional expressivity, as a component of EC, was externally rated as below average (M = 89.14, SD = 10.33). Discussion: Patients with chronic pain rate themselves as unimpaired in terms of their daily emotional awareness, expression, and regulation abilities. At the same time, mental health professionals rate these same individuals as significantly less emotionally competent. The question remains open as to what extent the divergent assessments can be explained by assessment bias.