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Coping with chronic pain. Some patients suffer more
N H Elton1, M M Hanna, J Treasure
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London.
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Maladaptive coping in chronic pain patients is linked to childhood adversity and general coping patterns. Early life experiences like parental indifference may predispose individuals to these coping styles.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the population.
- Understanding coping mechanisms is crucial for effective pain management.
- Childhood adversity is increasingly recognized as a factor in adult health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maladaptive coping and general coping styles in chronic pain patients.
- To examine the association between maladaptive coping and childhood adversity.
- To identify distinct coping styles in individuals with chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and retrospective data collection from 68 chronic pain patients.
- Utilized Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and Measure of Parental Care in Childhood.
- Administered questionnaires on pain, personality, and coping styles.
Main Results:
- Factor analysis identified two distinct coping styles.
- One coping style correlated with pain chronicity, psychiatric issues, harm avoidance, immature defense mechanisms, and reported parental indifference.
- Maladaptive coping was associated with childhood experiences.
Conclusions:
- Parental indifference in early life may predispose individuals to maladaptive coping strategies in chronic pain.
- Maladaptive coping in chronic pain appears to reflect broader, general coping patterns.
- These findings highlight the long-term impact of early life experiences on pain coping.