Physical pain and hopelessness in school teenagers

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physical pain and hopelessness can be risk factors for health and have a biopsychosocial impact on adolescence. Studies on such factors in adolescents are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate aspects related to physical pain and hopelessness in a sample of school adolescents. METHODS: Data was collected in two schools using the Multidimensional Pain Assessment Scale, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with physical pain and hopelessness. RESULTS: 270 adolescents were included. There was a significant prevalence of pain (mild 88.1% and intense 90.90%) and hopelessness (moderate 11.1% and severe 5.6%). In the multi--variate logistic regression model, the location of back pain and chronic pain were independently associated with severe hopelessness (defined as a Beck Hopelessness Scale score between 14 and 20). By multivariate logistic regression, adolescents who reported back pain and chronic pain presented, respectively, 2.07 (95% CI: 1.04-4.14) and 2.01 (95% CI: 1.03-3.93) times more chance to experience severe hopelessness. In the model of factors associated with the presence of pain, female adolescents were 3.87 times more likely to have pain (OR: 3.87; 95% CI: 1.74-8.60). CONCLUSION:The greater occurrence of pain in female adolescents and the association between specific aspects of pain and the presence of hopelessness indicate the existence of priority groups for health care actions.