Affective differences among subgroups of chronic pain patients

Abstract
Cluster analyses were performed on the MMPIs of 76 male and 68 female chronic low back pain patients. The results of these analyses were very consistent with previous research, suggesting that the existence of homogeneous subgroups among pain patients is a reliable finding. Additionally, significant differences were found between the subgroups on anxiety, anger, and anger expression. The implications for differential treatment of patients in the various subgroups are discussed.