Room 201 (Washington DC Convention Center)
Understanding Pain Expression: Language, Behavior and Distress
Understanding Pain Expression: Language, Behavior and Distress. It has become increasingly clear that the subjective experience of pain and the expression of pain are distinct phenomena. Recent theory and research indicate that pain experience and pain expression serve different functions, are influenced by different internal and external contingencies, and respond differentially to treatment interventions. Dr. Ken Craig will present a conceptual framework for understanding the communicative aspects of pain behavior. Using a series of studies on children’s emergent use of language to communicate painful distress, he will show how developmental perspectives on the relations between linguistic and behavioral dimensions of pain expression elucidate the critical social forces that influence when, how and to whom pain will be expressed. Dr. Michael Sullivan will summarize recent research addressing the communication functions of pain behavior. His presentation will address contextual influences on pain behavior and the degree to which individuals are aware of what they intend to communicate through their pain behavior. Dr. Francis Keefe will summarize research from his laboratory on the relation between emotional distress states and pain communication. In addition, he will describe the recent development of intervention approaches specifically targeting communication skills in individuals with persistent pain conditions.
Moderator:Michael JL Sullivan, PhD
Presenters:Kenneth D. Craig
Francis J. Keefe, PhD
Michael JL Sullivan, PhD
 Understanding Pain Expression: Language, Behavior and Distress
Michael JL Sullivan, PhD
 Understanding Pain Expression: Language, Behavior and Distress-1

Kenneth D. Craig, PhD
 Understanding Pain Expression: Language, Behavior and Distress-2
Francis Keefe, PhD

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