Adolescent self-perception: associations with chronic musculoskeletal pain and functional disability

Associations among pain, functional disability, and self-perceived competence were examined in a retrospective record review of the initial clinical evaluations of 115 adolescents (ages 13 to 18 years) with chronic musculoskeletal pain not associated with a specific organic cause. Adolescents self-reported on pain intensity, functional disability, and 9 developmentally relevant domains of self-perceived competence, using the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (Harter, 1988). Results confirmed a relation between usual pain intensity and functional disability (r = 0.47, P < .001). A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that adolescents' perceptions of global self-worth significantly moderated the relation between pain and disability. These findings extend our understanding of the relations among self-perception, chronic pain, and disability to include adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes and have future research and therapeutic implications.

Adolescents with chronic pain syndromes can face significant challenges in accomplishing developmental goals with respect to the pain and disability they experience. Perceptions of self-worth appear to play an important role in understanding the relation between pain and functional disability among adolescents with chronic pain.