The Relationship between Self-Compassion and Emotion Regulation with Pain Self-Efficacy in Migraine Patients

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of self-compassion and emotion regulation on pain self-efficacy among patients with migraine. The present research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all migraine patients in Sari city in 2024, from whom 90 participants were selected through cluster sampling based on the Nafchinsky and Mandrof formula. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Nicholas, 2007), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2015). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and stepwise linear regression analysis. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between self-compassion, emotion regulation, and pain self-efficacy (p<0.01). Stepwise regression revealed that emotion regulation (β=0.645) and self-compassion (β=0.55) significantly predicted pain self-efficacy in migraine patients, jointly explaining 45% of the variance in pain self-efficacy (R²=0.45, p<0.001). The findings suggest that both self-compassion and emotion regulation play crucial roles in enhancing pain self-efficacy among migraine patients. Incorporating emotion regulation strategies and self-compassion training into counseling and therapeutic programs may improve patients’ psychological resilience and their ability to manage pain effectively.