Couples coping with chronic pain: How do intercouple interactions relate to pain coping?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Science
• Health Science

Background:

• Chronic pain is experienced within a broader social context, particularly within couple relationships.
• Interactions between partners play a significant role in how individuals cope with chronic pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of how intercouple interactions influence pain coping in couples managing chronic pain.
• To review and discuss the empirical support for four proposed models of couple interaction in chronic pain.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO up to May 2017.
• Search terms included "Chronic pain," "couple interaction," "partner validation," "marital interaction," "spouse response," and "coping."

Main Results:

• Four models (operant, communal coping, interpersonal process of intimacy, dyadic) were examined.
• Each model shows some support, but none fully explains the complexity of couple interactions in chronic pain coping.
• Partner responses can reinforce pain behavior, but results for negative responses are mixed.

Conclusions:

• Existing models offer complementary insights into couple interactions and chronic pain coping.
• Integrating these approaches into a dyadic understanding is proposed.
• Couple interactions must be considered in developing treatment programs for chronic pain.