Puschmann AK, Drießlein D, Beck H, et al. - Given the risk for the development and chronification of low back pain (LBP) in correlation with psychosocial variables, researchers here sought the most important types of stress predicting LBP. They included self-efficacy as a potential protective factor related to both, stress and pain. Assessment of 1,071 individuals with low back pain was performed over 2 years in this prospective observational study. Using instruments ascertaining perceived stress, stress experiences in work and social contexts, vital exhaustion and life-event stress Evaluation of psychosocial stress was done in a broad manner. In the final sample for the statistic procedure, 588 individuals were assessed(age: 39.2 (± 13.4) years; baseline pain intensity: 27.8 (± 18.4); disability: 14.3 (± 17.9)). Outcomes revealed significant risk for LBP 1 or 2 years in the future in correlation to experiencing stress in social and work-related contexts; this was observed even in individuals with low initial pain levels. Protective effect was observed of self-efficacy against pain development, particularly in the long-term follow-up. Results imply that stress types differ in addressing psychosocial factors in research, prevention and therapy approaches.