Pain, Stress and Mental Well-Being Over Three Generations.

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Pain Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic pain assessment should address its multifactorial nature.
• Observational study comparing pain, stress, and mental well-being across three generations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pain prevalence, sites, and widespread pain across three generations.
• To assess generational differences in perceived stress and mental well-being.
• To identify gender disparities in pain, stress, and mental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Malmö neck and shoulder study and its offspring studies.
• Assessed pain sites, widespread pain, perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4), and mental well-being (30-item General Health Questionnaire).
• Analyzed data from Generation 1 (parents, n=12,607), Generation 2 (children, n=1572), and Generation 3 (grandchildren, n=936).

Main Results:

• Pain prevalence remained comparable across all three generations.
• Women consistently reported more pain sites and higher frequencies of widespread pain than men across generations.
• Perceived stress levels increased in Generations 2 and 3 compared to Generation 1.
• Mental well-being declined significantly in Generation 3 women compared to Generations 1 and 2.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender disparities exist in pain reporting, stress levels, and mental well-being.
• Generational differences in coping mechanisms may influence the impact of psychosocial distress on pain.
• Findings underscore the importance of gender-specific coping strategies and integrated mental health support in pain management.