Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Assessment of Perigenital Sensitivity and Prostatic Mast Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Maternal Separation
Published on: August 13, 2015
Chronic Pain and Childhood Adversity Experiences Among U.S. Military Personnel
Juliana S Ee1, Phillip A Culp2, Zachary J Bevis1
1Department of Family Medicine, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Liberty, NC 28310, USA.
Introduction:
Chronic pain in a military population is prevalent, is costly, and can limit daily activities and affect soldier readiness. It has been associated with childhood adversity (CA) within the veteran, adult, and pediatric populations. Given the need to maximize soldier resiliency, an examination of the link between CA and chronic pain in an active duty population for a better understanding that informs treatment options is warranted.
Materials And Methods:
The analytic sample comprised 32 men and 8 women drawn from a retrospective review of 203 intake assessments at an interdisciplinary pain management center. We identified a group (CA) of 20 patients who reported a history of pre-adolescent sexual abuse or living in an "abusive" childhood home and compared it with a control group (no-CA) of 20 patients, matched for age, gender, pain history duration, and pain problem. Validated measures were used to assess pain intensity, interference in functioning and well-being, emotional sequelae of pain as reflected in symptoms of depression and anxiety, and pain-related catastrophic thinking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test analyses.
Results:
Differences in current, worst, and average pain ratings were non-significant between groups. The CA group reported significantly greater effect of pain on mood (mean: 6.20 versus 4.25, P < .02) and showed a trend toward higher pain interference in functioning (mean: 17.70 versus 15.05, P = .053). The CA patients had significantly more serious depression (mean: 12.65 versus 4.50, P < .001) and anxiety symptoms (mean: 10.60 versus 2.35, P < .001) and significantly higher pain catastrophizing tendency (mean: 30.05 versus 20.50, P < .03).
Conclusions:
Overall, the findings suggest that childhood trauma should be considered by providers when treating depression and anxiety in soldiers with chronic pain. Being mindful of trauma-informed care may have implications, perhaps, for cases perceived as treatment resistant.
Related Concept Videos
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Cognitive Dissonance
Analgesia and Pain Management
Traumatic Memory
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....

