Bidirectional, longitudinal associations between chronic pain and family functioning in youth with spina bifida

Chronic pain does not reside within an individual. Pain is affected by and affects larger systems (e.g., families). We examined longitudinal, bidirectional associations between chronic pain and family functioning in spina bifida (SB). We hypothesized a bidirectional association between pain and family functioning (cohesion and conflict); youth chronic pain status would be associated with maladaptive family functioning and maladaptive family functioning would be associated with youth chronic pain status.

Participants were from an ongoing longitudinal study of adolescents with SB (N = 140, 53.6% female, ages 8-15 at Time 1). Data were collected every 2 years, with this study using data from Times 1 and 2 (T1, T2; T1: 2006-2009, T2: 2008-2011). Parents reported on youth demographics and family functioning. Youth reported on family functioning and pain; pain was dichotomized into a categorical variable (chronic pain vs. no chronic pain). Family functioning (cohesion and conflict) was also assessed using observational data.

Youth chronic pain status was associated with decreased family conflict (child report) and increased cohesion (parent report) over time. Increased family conflict (parent report) was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting chronic pain 2 years later. Findings were nonsignificant between observed family conflict or cohesion and chronic pain in either direction.

With the presence of an additional stressor (chronic pain) families increase cohesion and reduce conflict. Increased conflict may increase a child's vulnerability of developing chronic pain. It is critical that interventions for both pain and family functioning in SB are guided by a strengths-based model. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).