There is a fine line between helpful and hurtful social support for those with chronic pain, a new study says.

Spanish researchers revealed recently that pateints with a strong social support network are less prone to despression and are more likely to take aggressive steps in conquering their pain.  On the other hand, however, too much attention or "solicitousness regarding pateint pain behavior" can actually intensify pain. 

The study examined 117 patients and analyzed the relationships between social support, intensity of pain, depressed mood, coping strategies, and disability.  Patients who reported satisfaction with their social support network were less depressed and had less intense pain, which in turn improved their functional capability.

The researchers were intrigued by the strong impact psychosocial variables had on disease progression and intensity. For more on the study, click here.