School-age child and adolescent perception of the pain intensity associated with three word descriptors

This study examined children's and adolescents' perceptions of the descriptors hurt, ache, and pain. Nonhospitalized subjects (N = 198) between 8 and 19 years of age from three schools rated the levels of intensity associated with each of the descriptors on a word-graphic rating scale and matched each to one of three drawings depicting painful experiences. Subjects ranked pain highest; hurt middle; and ache lowest intensity. Significant preferences for matching descriptors to painful experiences was not demonstrated except for the word ache. These findings indicate that children and adolescents associate similar levels of intensity with pain, hurt, and ache but associate different experiences with each.