Beliefs About Worry and Pain Amongst Adolescents With and Without Chronic Pain (original) (raw)

Living with difference: exploring the social self of adolescents with chronic pain

Pain research & management : the journal of the Canadian Pain Society = journal de la société canadienne pour le traitement de la douleur

Chronic pain negatively affects an adolescent's life; however, little is known about the social impact of chronic pain for adolescents. More is known about the general peer relationships of adolescents with chronic pain than their close friendships. Close friendships begin to take on more importance during adolescence as these relationships facilitate the development of an adolescent's sense of personal identity and increasing independence from family influences. Thus, chronic pain may create friendship challenges for adolescents beyond those typically experienced during this developmental trajectory, which may negatively impact their abilities to secure social support. To better understand the challenges adolescents with chronic pain face with regard to their friendships. An interpretative phenomenological study using individual interviews was conducted. Two themes emerged. 'Rethinking the self with pain' describes the intrusive nature of chronic pain, challenging t...

“If It Ever Really Hurts, I Try Not to Let Them Know:” The Use of Concealment as a Coping Strategy Among Adolescents With Chronic Pain

Frontiers in Psychology, 2021

Objective: Despite considerable evidence of chronic pain in adolescents, and its adverse consequences for their health and well-being, less is known about pain-related stigma that these youth face, such as pain disbelief by others. Adolescents with chronic pain may conceal their symptoms as a coping strategy to avoid pain-related stigma, contributing to further social isolation and disruptions in medical treatment. In the current study, we used focus group methodology to examine adolescent motivations for using concealment and the possible benefits and harmful consequences of this form of coping. Materials and Methods: Five focus groups of 3-5 adolescents (ages 12-17) with chronic pain conditions (N = 18) were conducted as a part of a larger study to evaluate the impact of, and reaction to, pain-related stigma. Patients were recruited from an outpatient pediatric pain management clinic. Transcripts of focus group sessions were analyzed using directed content analysis for the main study, yielding anticipatory stigma and concealment categories. These categories were then explored using inductive content analysis for the current study. Results: Adolescents described engaging in concealment of their pain symptoms. Our analysis revealed three social motivations for concealment: (1) avoidance of judgment; (2) avoidance of being a social burden; and (3) desire to be treated normally, and two harmful consequences of concealment: (1) social isolation and (2) cognitive burden. Conclusion: Disbelief of pain symptoms may exacerbate the social isolation and disease-related burden in this population. Clinical implications of concealing pain symptoms are discussed, and points of intervention are proposed.

Conceptualizing pain-related stigma in adolescent chronic pain: a literature review and preliminary focus group findings

Pain reports, 2018

Introduction: Chronic pain in adolescents is a significant medical condition, affecting the physical and psychological well-being of youth and their families. Pain-related stigma is a significant psychosocial factor in adolescents with chronic pain that has been understudied, despite its implications for negative health outcomes, poor quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization. Objectives: To examine pain-related stigma in the literature documenting pediatric and adult health-related stigma and present preliminary findings from a focus group of adolescents with chronic pain. Methods: In this narrative review, we explored pain-related stigma research and conceptualized the literature to address painrelated stigma among adolescents with chronic pain. Additionally, we conducted a focus group of four adolescent females with chronic pain and using content analyses, coded the data for preliminary themes. Results: We propose a pain-related stigma model and framework based on our review and the findings from our focus group. Findings suggest that medical providers, school personnel (ie, teachers and school nurses), peers and even family members enact pain-related stigma toward adolescents with chronic pain. Conclusions: Based on this narrative review, there is preliminary evidence of pain-related stigma among adolescents with chronic pain and future research is warranted to better understand the nature and extent of this stigma within this population.

Topical Review: Basic Psychological Needs in Adolescents with Chronic Pain-A Self-Determination Perspective

Pain Research & Management, 2019

is topical review outlines the resilience pathway to adaptive functioning in pediatric pain within a developmental perspective. Self-Determination eory proposes that the satisfaction of one's basic psychological needs (for autonomy, relatedness, and competence) is crucial for understanding human flourishing and healthy development. However, the role of the basic psychological needs received little attention in a pediatric-pain population. Yet, we propose that need satisfaction may be a resilience factor and need frustration a risk factor, for living with chronic pain. In this topical review, we first discuss two major models that have been developed to understand pain-related disability: the fear-avoidance model of pain and the ecological resilience-risk model in pediatric chronic pain. Both models have been used with children and adolescents but do not include a developmental perspective. erefore, we introduce Self-Determination eory and highlight the potentially moderating and mediating role of the basic needs on pain-related disability in children and adolescents. Taken together, we believe that Self-Determination eory is compatible with the fear-avoidance model of pain and the ecological resilience-risk model in pediatric chronic pain and may deepen our understanding of why some adolescents are able to live adaptively in spite of chronic pain.

The experience of chronic pain among adolescents: suffering and attempt to overcome pain?

BMC Pediatrics

Background Chronic pain (CP) among adolescents has received less attention than adultsandthere is limited qualitative studies about it in Iran. This study explored the experience of CP among adolescents. Methods This exploratory qualitative study was conducted in April–October 2019. Participants were 14 adolescent students purposively recruited from schools in Shiraz, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection and data analysis was done through conventional content analysis. Findings Adolescents’ experiences of CP came into nine subcategories and three main categories, namely perceived suffering, attempt to overcome pain, and attempt to find sources of support. Conclusion Adolescents with CP experience physical and mental suffering and attempt to manage their pain and its associated suffering through different physical and psychological strategies and using different sources of support such as family, peers, healthcare providers, and school staff.

Are attitudes about pain related to coping strategies used by adolescents in the community?

Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 2019

Background and aims To better understand the associations between pain beliefs and pain coping strategies in a sample of community adolescents. Methods Four hundred and thirty-four adolescents were asked to complete measures of physical function, pain-related beliefs and use of pain coping strategies. A series of three hierarchical regression analyses were performed. Results Approach coping strategies demonstrated significant and positive associations with beliefs about the importance of solicitousness responding and control over pain. Problem-focused avoidance coping strategies evidenced a negative association with the belief of being disabled by pain, and a positive association with the importance of exercise. Emotion-focused avoidance coping strategies showed significant and positive associations with beliefs about being disabled by pain and that emotions affect pain, and negative associations with beliefs about control over pain and the appropriateness of pain medications. Concl...

The Lived Experience of Adolescents With Chronic Pain: A Phenomenological Study

American Journal of Occupational Therapy

Date Presented 3/31/2017 The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of adolescents who live with chronic pain. The study found four main themes among the data. Occupational therapists can benefit from incorporating this knowledge base to improve clients’ overall quality of life and occupational performance. Primary Author and Speaker: Ryan Suder Contributing Authors: Cathy Peirce, Kristin Winston

A pain workshop: an approach to eliciting the views of young people with chronic pain: Impact of chronic pain on young people

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2002

• Chronic pain is complex and there is still much to discover about the burden that it places on children and their families.• The aim of this study was to explore the way in which the experience of chronic pain impacts on the lives of young people.• Through the use of a pain workshop that involved a series of guided activities and a focus group, young people were able to share their experiences with each other and the facilitators/researchers.• Data were analysed using a theoretical coding technique supported by Atlas.ti®.• Five key interlinked themes emerged from the data and each theme is expressed in the words of the young people themselves: `no one's pain's the same', `getting on with it', `it's hard 'cos…', `keeping with the dream', and `it depends … some are OK'.• The young people did experience significant disruption in their lives as a result of their pain.• Pain was experienced as if it was both a separate entity as well as an intrinsic part of them and, to a degree, blighted their future.• Based on the experiences shared by the young people, professionals need to develop insight and strategies into the challenges young people with chronic pain face on a daily basis.

Autonomy and competence satisfaction as resources for facing chronic pain disability in adolescence: a self-determination perspective

Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2020

This study aimed to test empirically the developmental goal pursuit model of paediatric chronic pain, which draws upon Self- Determination Theory for understanding risks and resources for living with chronic pain. This study examined the relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction (i.e. the satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence) and the fear-avoidance model of pain in adolescents suffering from chronic pain. Hundred and twenty adolescents (mean age = 14.52, 71.6% female), receiving treatment through paediatric pain centres for chronic pain, were enrolled. Adolescents completed measures of basic psychological need satisfaction, fear and avoidance of pain, and pain-related functional impairment. Path analyses model indicated that higher levels of autonomy and competence satisfaction were associated with lower levels of functional disability, through the mediation of fear and avoidance of pain. Relatedness satisfaction was not significatively related to fear of pain, avoidance, and functional disability. The integration of Self-Determination Theory in the paediatric pain literature may further our understanding of potential resources for decreasing functional disability in children living with chronic pain.

Self-Treatment of Pain Among Adolescents in an Urban Community

Pain Management Nursing, 2012

Pain occurrence among adolescents, whether acute or chronic, persistent or intermittent, remains high, with potentially serious effects on quality of life, physical and emotional functioning, and psychosocial adjustment. The prevalence of pain in adolescents varies widely, and although discussed in the literature for more than two decades, data on adolescent knowledge and pain self-treatment is scarce. This descriptive-correlational study identified pain prevalence and intensity and pain self-treatment choices among adolescents in a diverse urban community. Almost 90% (n ¼ 253) of high school students reported pain in the preceding 2 weeks and completed a series of study questionnaires (demographic data form, Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form, Adolescent Self-Treatment Survey). Respondents ranged in age from 14 to 19 years (mean 16) and were predominantly female (70%) and caucasian (75%). The sample was representative of all high school grades, and the majority (86%) reported participation in sports, dance, and physical activities. Mean pain scores ranged from 3.0 (current pain) to 6.5 (worst pain), with significantly higher scores among girls. A gender-related effect was also noted for pain interference in activities, mood, and sleep among the adolescent girls compared with the boys. Gender also predicted use of self-treatment methods, with girls more likely to use over-thecounter medications and nonpharmacologic therapies. Number of pain sites was also a strong predictor of use of self-treatment methods among adolescents. Knowledge of the pain experience during adolescence will help guide community-based nursing initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, promoting knowledge about pain and its treatment, and ensuring safety and positive outcomes related to self-treatment.