Problem: The Fear Avoidance Model of pain specifies that one either recovers from an injury or succumbs to a downward spiral of depression and disability. The recovery side of the model lacks reasoning on how recovery is achieved. We hypothesized a similar sequence of cognition, affect, and behavior would lead to recovery.

Method: Analyses were conducted on an existing data set, consisting of 110 patients undergoing knee arthroplasty. Patients completed surveys before, during, and after surgery. Regression analyses control for gender and baseline pain.

Results: Analyses revealed significant paths from self efficacy to positive affect and vitality-vigor facilitating recovery (p<.05).

Conclusion: The current findings suggest that positive cognition, affect, and behaviors lead to recovery. Interventions designed to enhance these resilience factors should facilitate optimal recovery.