A new study has found that feeling mentally defeated can actually make chronic pain worse. Researchers discovered that individuals who experience a sense of lost social identity—termed 'mental defeat'—report higher pain levels and a diminished quality of life.
Study Details
The research involved 137 adults living with chronic pain, who were surveyed about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors three times daily for two weeks. The findings, published in the journal Pain, showed that increases in feelings of mental defeat consistently led to greater pain intensity. This, in turn, caused individuals to withdraw from social situations and reduce physical activity, further exacerbating their pain.
Self-Reinforcing Loop
The researchers describe this as a 'self-reinforcing loop,' where mental defeat leads to more negative self-perceptions, which then amplify the feeling of being defeated. Importantly, the study found that mental defeat is not linked to the severity of the pain itself but is a distinct psychological process.
Lead researcher Nicole Tang, a professor of psychology at the University of Warwick, stated: 'Pain is not something that can simply be taken away—it is someone’s reality. But how people relate to their pain, and the meaning they attach to it, can add an extra layer of distress that we might be able to target with the right interventions.'
Growing Demand for Treatment
The findings come as demand for chronic pain treatment continues to rise. According to NHS England’s Health Survey for England, 26% of adults report experiencing some form of chronic pain. The Health Foundation estimates that by 2040, an additional 1.9 million adults could be living with chronic pain.
Potential for New Interventions
Experts believe these insights could pave the way for new treatment plans benefiting millions. Senior researcher Swaran Singh, a professor of social and community psychiatry at the University of Warwick, explained: 'By identifying when mental defeat spikes during the day, future digital tools, such as smartphone-based interventions, could deliver timely support to help individuals reframe negative self-perceptions, maintain activity, and reduce suffering. This kind of “just-in-time” approach could offer more personalised support alongside existing treatments.'
