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Testing a theory of chronic pain
Pao-Feng Tsai1, Sunghee Tak, Carole Moore
1College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. tsaipaofeng@uams.edu
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|July 2, 2003
Summary
Chronic pain and disability in older adults with arthritis predict daily stress, which in turn increases depression risk. This study validated a theory explaining these chronic pain effects.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nursing Theory
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Chronic pain is common in older adults with arthritis, often leading to depression.
- The psychopathology of chronic pain and its outcomes in this population requires further investigation.
- The Roy Adaptation Model's middle-range theory for chronic pain has not been extensively validated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a middle-range theory of chronic pain derived from the Roy Adaptation Model.
- To examine the relationships between pain, disability, social support, daily stress, and depression in older adults with arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Convenience sample of 71 older adults with arthritis.
- Utilized Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, Personal Resource Questionnaire, Elderly Daily Stress scale, and Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression scale.
- Employed univariate analysis, correlation, and path analysis to examine the hypothesized model.
Main Results:
- The model indicated that pain, disability, and social support predict daily stress (37% variance).
- Daily stress significantly predicted depression (35% variance).
- Age and gender did not influence daily stress; the model demonstrated a good fit to the data.
Conclusions:
- Validated a middle-range theory explaining chronic pain's impact on depression in older adults with arthritis.
- Emphasized the significant role of chronic pain in the development of depression within this demographic.