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Chronic pain and depression: is social support relevant?
P M Trief1, C L Carnrike, O Drudge
1S.U.N.Y. Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry, Syracuse 13210, USA.
Psychological Reports
|February 1, 1995
Summary
Social support and family environment quality differ between depressed and non-depressed chronic back pain patients. However, patient depression did not predict rehabilitation outcomes in this study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Health
Background:
- Chronic back pain (CBP) significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
- Depression is a common comorbidity in CBP, affecting treatment outcomes.
- The role of social support and family environment in CBP recovery requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between social support and depression in CBP patients.
- To explore the association between family environment and depression in this population.
- To determine if depression predicts outcomes following a functional restoration program.
Main Methods:
- Seventy patients with chronic back pain completed psychological questionnaires.
- Assessment included measures of depression, social support, and family environment.
- Rehabilitation outcomes were evaluated based on physical, vocational, and goal attainment.
Main Results:
- Depressed and non-depressed patients differed in perceived social support and family environment quality.
- No significant association was found between depression and rehabilitation outcomes.
- Specific numbers of depressed (25) and non-depressed (23) patients were identified.
Conclusions:
- Social support and family environment may be relevant factors for depressed chronic back pain patients.
- Depression status did not appear to influence the success of the functional restoration program.
- Findings suggest potential benefits of family-focused interventions for this patient group.