RELATION WITH PAIN · Relationship with pain: Investigation of couple interaction in the maintenance of medically unexplained pain

Somatoform pain disorder, i.e. pain that cannot be readily explained by biomedical means, is among the most prevalent mental disorders in Europe and causes high disability as well as high costs for health care systems. Because of its high socio-political importance, the proposed project will investigate crucial factors in the maintenance of this disorder. Couple interaction might have an important impact on the transition from acute pain to chronic somatoform pain. Consequently, the influence of couple interaction on the transition from acute to chronic somatoform pain will be assessed. Also, the impact of somatoform pain disorder on the relationship and the non-affected partner will be examined. A multifactorial and longitudinal design will be implemented and data will be analysed using multilevel analysis strategies. The findings of the proposed project will greatly add to the prevention and effective treatment of somatoform pain disorder and is therefore timely and highly relevant. It will also considerably enhance excellence in European science in this field. Prof. G. Bodenmann will serve as mentor to Dr. Mewes at the host institution (University of Zürich, Switzerland). He has a longstanding and internationally renowned expertise in relationship research. Prof. Bodenmann’s group will provide important theoretical and methodological input, international connections, as well as practical training in working with dyadic data, as it is one of the leading groups in this field. The fellowship will provide Dr. Mewes with unique training opportunities, such as integrating new theoretical concepts, new techniques for data collection and data analyses, project management skills, leadership qualities, scientific writing and presentation skills, teaching skills, and intervention methods in couple therapy. Consequently, the experience gained during the fellowship will help her reaching the next steps to a successful research career both in the medium-term and long-term.