Background & Aims
Significant others, such as parents and partners, have an important influence on our lives and experiences. It is thought that dyadic interpersonal factors between a person with pain and a significant other are important in the development and maintenance of chronic pain, yet to date no study has collated and synthesised the longitudinal evidence in this area. This study aimed to a) collate and identify the familial interpersonal factors that influence the onset, maintenance, worsening, or recovery of pain; and b) develop a model to explain the effects of these factors on the development of chronic pain.
Methods
Scoping reviews were undertaken to identify key mechanisms for parents and partners. The search included key psychosocial interpersonal factors explored in any study with a timeline, partners/spouses, parents and children, and any type of pain. The following databases were searched: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, and PsycINFO. Two authors completed screening and extraction. PPIE contributed to both the development of the search and interpretation of the findings. The full protocol is available on the Open Science Framework.
Results
14364 studies were screened, with 43 studies eligible for inclusion. Evidence was stronger for parental mechanisms; parent anxiety (10 studies, n=4942) and parent catastrophising (seven studies, n=1684) were both associated with worse child pain outcomes and the development of child chronic pain. Evidence was weaker and more heterogenous for partner mechanisms. Partner support type was the most common mechanism (nine studies, n=1657), with autonomous, protective, and emotional support associated with better pain outcomes. From these findings, in collaboration with our PPIE group, we developed a model to map the interpersonal psychosocial mechanisms associated with the development of chronic pain.
Conclusions
Interpersonal psychosocial mechanisms are key to understanding pain transitions, particularly the development of chronic pain. While there is strong evidence for parental factors, particularly parent anxiety and catastrophising, the evidence for partner mechanisms is limited. Based on both parent and partner findings, we have developed a theoretical model for the effects of interpersonal mechanisms on pain transitions. The next step is to test this model in empirical, experimental studies.
References
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Presenting Author
Tamar Pincus
Poster Authors
Topics
- Models: Transition to Chronic Pain