Children with chronic pain are vulnerable to adverse outcomes, such as impaired quality
of life and poor functioning. Recent risk and resilience models for adult chronic pain haveaimed
to conceptualize the complexity of pain, which may prove useful for pediatric populations. The
purpose of this study was to examine the unique predictive value of prominent pain-related risk
factors, investigate optimism’s role as a resilience factor, and exploreprotective mechanisms
through which optimism exerts its benefits. Participants included 58 8-17 year-old children and
adolescents with chronic pain. Pain intensity remained the best predictor of disability, but painrelated fear and optimism were unique predictors of well-being. Optimism contributed to adaptation by reducing pain-related fear and catastrophizing. Findings suggest thatthe predictive value