Which statement is true about psychosocial prognostic factors used in yellow flags?

• A. Depression
• B. Pain intensity
• C. Range of motion
• D. BMI

Answer: (A)

Psychosocial prognostic factors in yellow flags focus on mental health and social context and how they influence recovery from pain. Depression fits this category because it affects mood, motivation, coping strategies, and expectations about treatment and outcomes. When depressive symptoms are present, a person may engage less with rehabilitation, report higher perceived intensity of pain, and have slower progress toward returning to work, all of which can worsen prognosis. Pain intensity, while important, is a sensory symptom rooted in physical and neurobiological processes rather than a psychosocial context factor. Range of motion and BMI are physical measurements that describe impairments or body characteristics, not psychosocial risk factors. Therefore, depression is the best answer because it directly represents the psychosocial dimension that yellow flags are designed to identify and address. In practice, clinicians screen for depression to tailor management and support, recognizing how mental health can shape recovery.