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Pain patients and marital relations
The Clinical Journal of Pain
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Chronic pain significantly impacts couple functioning, with depressed individuals experiencing more dysfunction. Pain duration did not correlate with family adaptability or cohesion.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Chronic pain affects not only individuals but also their intimate relationships.
- Understanding the impact of chronic pain on couple functioning is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess couple functioning in individuals with chronic pain.
- To examine the relationship between depression and couple dysfunction in this population.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one subjects with chronic pain were evaluated.
- Couple functioning was measured using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES).
- Depression levels were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Main Results:
- Subjects with chronic pain reported significant difficulties in most aspects of couple functioning.
- Individuals experiencing depression showed higher levels of couple dysfunction compared to nondepressed subjects.
- The duration of chronic pain was not associated with family adaptability, cohesion, or stability.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pain poses substantial challenges to couple functioning.
- Depression exacerbates couple dysfunction in individuals with chronic pain.
- Interventions addressing both pain and depression may be beneficial for improving relationship quality.