Fear of pain associated with medical procedures and illnesses

The study was aimed at determining the dimensions of fear of pain associated with medical procedures and the dimensions of fear of pain associated with illnesses and accidents on a sample composed of young, middle-aged and elderly persons. The participants were 573 adults (aged 26-94 years). They were presented with (a) the French adaptation of the ten medical fear items from the original FPQ plus 19 additional items, (b) the French adaptation of the 6 illness items from the original FPQ plus 49 additional items, and (c) an Exposure to Painful Situations Questionnaire. As regards the fear of medical procedures, a four-factor structure was identified: Examination and Care, Shots, Dental care, and Invasive procedures. Older participants, and less educated participants tended to show more fear of invasive procedures than younger participants, and more educated participants. As regards the fear of pain associated with illnesses, an eight-factor solution was found: Minor ailments, cramps, infections and abscesses, inflamed joints, colics, breaks, lesion of organs, and cancer and terminal illness. Older participants tended to show more fear of pain associated with minor ailments, inflamed joints, breaks, colic, and cramps than younger participants did. Previous exposure to pain resulted in a clear decrease in fear of pain associated with most of medical procedures, especially invasive procedures and shots.