Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
First Advisor
Todd Smitherman
Second Advisor
Aaron Lee
Third Advisor
Laura Dixon
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Migraine is a prevalent and disabling pain condition that affects the central nervous system, and women are disproportionately affected. Migraine is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders, which compound the pain experience. Psychosocial correlates of migraine (i.e., fear of pain, pain catastrophizing) that are often observed in individuals with comorbid psychiatric disorders further contribute to the experience of pain and resulting headache-related disability. Social factors (i.e., loneliness and social exclusion) differentially affect pain responses in individuals with chronic pain; however, no literature to date has explored the effects of social exclusion on pain in migraine. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between social exclusion and pain experience among females with migraine. Participants with and without migraine were randomly assigned to a social exclusion or inclusion manipulation and then completed a cold pressor task. We hypothesized that baseline loneliness would predict pain responses and that participants with migraine would have lower pain threshold and tolerance compared to controls. We also hypothesized that exclusion (compared to inclusion) would increase pain among controls but decrease pain among migraine participants due to a previously documented “buffering effect.” Though migraine participants demonstrated lower pain tolerance compared to controls, there was no relation between loneliness and pain and no interaction effects between migraine status and social exclusion manipulation on pain responses. Despite a large sample size and strong experimental design, social exclusion did not affect pain responses in the current study. Given the variability of responses to social exclusion among chronic pain populations, further research is warranted to elucidate the potential importance, or lack thereof, of social exclusion within migraine.
Recommended Citation
McCracken, Halle, "Social Exclusion and Pain Among Females with Migraine" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3327.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3327