Six hundred thirty-five orthopedic patients who were consecutively referred to an outpatient pain assessment service were grouped into one of five pain-duration categories: 0-3 mo, 4-6 mo, 7-9 mo, 9-12 mo, and more than 12 mo. Comprehensive psychosocial assessment of the patients revealed that longer pain-duration patients are older, complain of greater body surface in pain, have had more surgery, have been out of work longer, report taking more pain medication, have been married more times, are more likely to be involved in worker's compensation, and report a greater likelihood of current suicidal ideation. In addition, patients with longer pain duration showed higher pain intensity and sensitivity, less confidence in coping ability, higher dependency traits, and greater reliability of self-report. Finally, longer pain duration was associated with reports of more symptoms of psychopathologic disturbance, especially in patients with pain durations from 9 to 12 mo. Because the data presented are correlation in nature, prospective analysis of the psychosocial adjustment of orthopedic pain patients is suggested.

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A review of experimental research on jealousy showed further research is required to understand the concept beyond a listing of basic differences in self-report. An analogue study of the coping abilities of people high and low in jealousy was conducted. Using the stress of intimate self-disclosure, individuals high and low in jealousy were able to use a cognitive coping strategy equally well. Alternative rival hypotheses are reviewed. Other results replicated previous findings that the jealous person tends to be more anxious, lacking in self-esteem, and possibly more depressed.

Circumferential (360 degrees) lumbar fusion can be a highly effective method of reducing pain and disability in patients receiving workers' compensation.

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Stress inoculation, a cognitive‐behavioral approach for preventing stress‐related disorders, is described and applied to academic, occupational, social, medical, and environmental stressors.