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Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
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Sex Differences in Coping Strategies Based on Chronic Pain Intensity Among Older Adults
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
|September 30, 2021
Summary
Older adults use task persistence and self-statements to cope with chronic pain. Sex differences emerge in coping strategies based on pain intensity, with males and females showing distinct patterns.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Management
- Psychology
Background:
- Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the older adult population.
- Understanding coping strategies is crucial for effective pain management in this demographic.
- Sex differences in pain perception and coping are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate chronic pain coping strategies in older adults.
- To examine sex-based differences in these strategies relative to pain intensity.
- To identify commonly used adaptive and non-adaptive coping mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted in midwestern Brazil.
- 276 older adults with chronic pain participated.
- Utilized the Brief Pain Inventory and Chronic Pain Coping Inventory-Brazilian version for data collection.
- Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests.
Main Results:
- Task persistence and coping self-statements were the most frequently employed strategies.
- Exercise/stretching and task persistence differed between males and females.
- Males showed pain intensity-related differences in asking for assistance, task persistence, and guarding.
- Females exhibited pain intensity-related differences in guarding and resting strategies.
- Adaptive coping was prevalent, yet non-adaptive strategies were also significant in both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Older adults employ a range of coping strategies for chronic pain, with task persistence and self-statements being prominent.
- Significant sex differences exist in the utilization of specific coping strategies, influenced by pain intensity.
- While adaptive coping is common, the presence of non-adaptive strategies warrants attention in managing chronic pain in older adults.
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