Abstract
BACKGROUND: Life purpose in acute low back pain patients is not well described in published literature. METHODS/PURPOSE: We used linear regression models to describe the relationship of life purpose with perceived functional disability and depression in persons with acute low back pain (N = 42) participating in a randomized clinical trial to prevent transition to chronic low back pain. RESULTS: In our predominantly female sample (81.8%) with a mean age of 53 years (SD = 11.6 years), 52% worked full-time. Adjusting for age, gender, and working status, life purpose was a significant correlate of depression (p = .007). For every 10-unit increase in life purpose score, the estimated depression score decreased by almost 2.5 points. A significant relationship between life purpose and perceived functional disability was not identified. CONCLUSION: Life purpose likely is a modifiable risk factor for depression in acute low back pain patients.