Buffer or amplifier? Longitudinal effects of social support for functional autonomy/dependence on older adults’ chronic pain experiences.

Abstract

Objective: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate: (1) the moderating role of formal social support for functional autonomy versus dependence on the relationship between pain intensity and pain-related disability among older adults with chronic pain, and (2) the mediating role of pain-related self-efficacy and pain-related fear in this moderation. Methods:One hundred and seventy older adults (M age =78.0; SD=8.7) with chronic musculoskeletal pain participated in a 3-month prospective study, with three measurement moments. Participants filled out the Formal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory, the Portuguese versions of the Brief Pain Inventory, the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Results: Using Structural Equation Modelling, it was found that perceived promotion of autonomy, at Time 1, moderated the relationship between pain intensity (T1) and pain-related disability (T2); this moderation was fully mediated by pain-related self-efficacy (T2). Perceived promotion of dependence was not a significant moderator. Conclusions:These findings highlight the importance of social support for functional autonomy in buffering the impact of pain intensity on older adults' pain-related disability. Also, they clarify the role of pain-related selfefficacy in this effect. Implications for the development of intervention programs, with formal caregivers, to reduce the impact of chronic pain, on older adults' healthy ageing process, are discussed.

Role of kinesiophobia on pain, disability and quality of life in people suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review

“…However, the relationship between changes in kinesiophobia at 6 months and changes in disability at 6 months was not reported. On the other hand, Matos et al 74 reported that kinesiophobia at baseline did not predict changes in disability at 3 months. No covariates were reported.…”

The social threats of COVID-19 for people with chronic pain

“…However, enforced close-proximity living could also bring challenges to autonomy and independence. Although social support can help buffer against pain, 14,15,18,56 an increase in solicitous behaviours in such close proximity might unintentionally contribute to the chronicity of pain. 34,43,72 For example, in households where a child is in pain, increased social proximity could lead to increased exposure to protective parental behaviours and reductions in child autonomy and activity.…”

Ethnic Minority Health and Employment: Ethnic Differences in the Protective Effect of Close Social Ties

“…According to the socalled social buffer hypothesis (Cohen and McKay 1984), negative effects of stressors on health and well-being are reduced or even eliminated by receiving social support from social ties. This hypothesized moderation effect has been empirically found in multiple studies across various contexts (Barth et al 2010;Bowen et al 2014;Cohen and Wills 1985;Earnshaw et al 2015;Holtfreter et al 2017;Holt-Lunstad et al 2010;Kondrat et al 2017;Matos et al 2017;Thoits 1995Thoits , 2011Uchino 2004Uchino , 2009). Social support could be influential in the relation between health problems and employment by providing different types of social support.…”