Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role that social support and perceived stress play as predictors of physical and psychological function in individuals with chronic pain. Design and main outcome measures: One-hundred sixty-five adults with chronic pain from the general population completed an online survey that included measures of pain intensity, perceived social support, perceived stress, physical function, and psychological function.  Results: Perceived stress but not perceived social support made a significant and independent contribution to the prediction of physical function; both perceived social support and perceived stress made independent contributions to the prediction of psychological function. The Social Support x Perceived Stress interaction did not make a significant contribution to the prediction of either criterion variable.
Perceived stress appears to play a larger role in overall function than social support. However, social support does appear to play a direct role in psychological function, although it does not appear to moderate the impact of stress on function. The findings are more consistent with a main-effects model than a stress-buffering model of social support.  Conclusions: Research is needed to determine if interventions that effectively reduce perceived stress and improve perceived social support increase physical and psychological function.

SOCIAL SUPPORT, PERCEIVED STRESS, AND FUNCTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC PAIN