The relationship of cognitive styles and affective status to post-operative analgesic utilization

The relationship of post-operative analgesic utilization to field dependence, locus of control and psychologic status was studied in 37 post-cholecystectomy patients. The results show a positive correlation between psychological disturbance and increased medication. External locus and field dependence were also correlated with depression, but not more medication. The findings reject a linear relationship between these two personality variables and pain response, but suggest an interaction between cognitive styles and affective status that augments narcotic utilization.