Beyond the Mainstream: Exploring Parent Protective Behaviors in Asian Families Experiencing Pediatric Chronic Pain

Despite the striking prevalence of pediatric chronic pain (20% of youth), its impact on culturally diverse populations, particularly Asian families, remains underexplored. The existing literature on parent protective behaviors predominantly focuses on Non-Hispanic White (NHW) families, where such behaviors often exacerbate pain outcomes, therefore informing a core treatment target in clinical practice. This study aims to explore the role of parent protective behaviors in relation to global and pain-related distress in Asian families in comparison to NHW counterparts.

A sample of 1415 youth (Asian: n = 236; NHW: n = 1179) aged 8 to 17 completed a survey prior to their evaluation at a tertiary pain clinic. Bivariate correlations and independent-sample t-tests were conducted to assess differences in anxiety, depression, pain-related distress, and parent protective behaviors between groups. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine whether parent protective behaviors moderated the relationship between global distress and pain-related outcomes.

Asian youth reported significantly lower pain intensity and pain interference than NHW youth, while Asian parents reported significantly higher protective behaviors. Parent protective behaviors moderated the association between global distress (depression and anxiety) and pain catastrophizing for Asian families only. A three-way interaction (ethnicity x parent protective behaviors, global distress, B = -0.22, p < 0.001; B = -0.18, p < 0.01) revealed that protective behaviors influenced the distress-pain catastrophizing link differently by ethnicity.

Differences were observed in the Asian youth's experience of pain in comparison to their NHW counterparts. This study highlights the importance of considering culturally nuanced approaches in treating pediatric chronic pain, particularly when working with Asian families.