Osteoarthritis pain affects emotional well-being in terms both of momentary mood states and of global, long-term mental health. Though emotional awareness and regulation strategies are known to affect these dynamics, there have been few direct comparisons of momentary and long-term linkages of pain, distress, and emotional regulation. This research therefore examined short- and long-term associations among emotional dynamics, pain, and distress among 171 older adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Respondent interviews yielded self-report data on global pain, depressive symptoms, and trait-level emotional intelligence (EI; attention, clarity, and repair). Respondents then completed an experience sampling method (ESM) protocol comprising 4 calls/day for 7 days, tapping momentary pain and negative affect. In global (person-level) regression analyses, all three EI subscales predicted lower depression, controlling for global pain, demographics and general health. Mood clarity was the strongest predictor; it also moderated the pain-distress linkage, such that persons high in mood clarity showed a weakened association of pain with depression Parallel multilevel models for ESM negative affect yielded significant Level 2 effects of mood clarity and repair, and both person-level and momentary pain. Here, mood repair (vs. clarity) buffered effects of momentary pain, such that persons with stronger mood regulation skills displayed a weaker association of pain with negative mood “in the moment.” These findings suggest that awareness and regulation of one’s emotions can be a powerful tool for coping with OA pain. However, dynamics appear to differ between immediate, momentary affect vs. long-term well-being. Implications for clinical intervention are discussed. (Supported by R01-AG041655, P. Parmelee & D. Smith, PIs.)
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