Patient's perception of pain: comparison between Korean-American and Euro-American obstetric patients

This study explored the differences and similarities in the perception of pain reported between Korean-American and Euro-American obstetric patients, describing whether the different ethnocultural background of patients affected their perception of pain. Gate control theory provided the basis for the study. The theory of pain emphasizes the role of psychological variables in the perception of pain and behavioral responses to pain. The sample (N = 124) consisted of 67 Euro-American and 57 Korean-American patients, who had delivered a baby within 12 to 24 hours of the interview in a large community hospital in New York City. The results indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the quality of pain especially in affective type of pain experience and overall evaluation of pain while no significant differences appeared in the pain intensity in general between the two groups. Also, there were many interesting findings such as using own words in expressing pain, preferences in gender of baby, and childbirth training, or social support which reflected much cultural influences.