Adding insult to injury: Perceived inequity modulates pain perception

Inequity and pain typically co-appear during disasters or illnesses and have significant effects on health. However, the relationship between inequity and pain perception is poorly understood. Four studies investigated whether perceived inequity modulates pain perception using different priming paradigms and pain measurements. Studies 1–3 consistently revealed that participants perceived pain more intensely and rapidly after inequity priming. Study 4 demonstrated that inequity in cancer patients predicts pain perception after controlling for individual differences in equity sensitivity and pain sensitivity. The findings suggest that equity may help manage adversity in achieving mental and physical health.