Does feeling understood matter? The effects of validating and invalidating interactions in the chronic pain consultation Seminar

Validation is a communication strategy, developed by Linehan (1993) as part of dialectical behavioural therapy, which is used to communicate acceptance and understanding of the recipient. In contrast, invalidation communicates lack of understanding or acceptance of the individual, conveying that their thoughts, feelings or behaviours are somehow ‘wrong’. This talk examines the physiological, emotional and behavioural effects of validating and invalidating interactions, exploring the potential for validation (or lack of invalidation) in the medical consultation, particularly in the context of pain and distress.

Three studies will be discussed, which examine validation both experimentally and in the context of the chronic pain consultation. The research sheds light on the potentially detrimental impact of receiving invalidating feedback on physiological arousal, emotions, thoughts and behaviours, discussing the implications of this in the context of the chronic pain consultation. It appears that feeling understood does matter, both within the laboratory setting and beyond.