Childhood violence and adult chronic pain among indigenous Sami and non-Sami populations in Norway: a SAMINOR 2 questionnaire study

Abstract

BackgroundInternationally, studies have shown that childhood violence is associated with chronic pain in adulthood. However, to date, this relationship has not been examined in any indigenous population.ObjectiveThe main objectives of this study were to investigate the association between childhood violence and reported chronic pain, number of pain sites and the intensity of pain in adulthood in indigenous Sami and non-Sami adults, and to explore ethnic differences.DesignThe study is based on the SAMINOR 2 questionnaire study, a larger population-based, cross-sectional survey on health and living conditions in multiethnic areas with both Sami and non-Sami populations in Mid- and Northern Norway. Our study includes a total of 11,130 adult participants: 2,167 Sami respondents (19.5%) and 8,963 non-Sami respondents (80.5%). Chronic pain was estimated by reported pain located in various parts of the body. Childhood violence was measured by reported exposure of emotional, physical and/or sexual violence.ResultsChildhood violence was associated with adult chronic pain in several pain sites of the body regardless of ethnicity and gender. Childhood violence was also associated with increased number of chronic pain sites and higher pain intensity compared to those not exposed to childhood violence. However, among Sami men, this association was only significant for pain located in chest, hips/legs and back, and non-significant for increased number of chronic pain sites (adjusted model), and higher pain intensity.ConclusionRespondents exposed to childhood violence reported more chronic pain in several parts of the body, increased number of chronic pain sites and more intense pain in adulthood than respondents reporting no childhood violence. However, among Sami men, this association was weaker and also not significant for increased number of chronic pain sites and higher pain intensity.

Persistent pain associated with socioeconomic and personal factors in a Sami and Non-Sami population in Norway: an analysis of SAMINOR 2 survey data

“…In general, socioeconomic conditions and education have improved in the northern regions, and findings of significant health differences between the Sami and the majority populations are scarce [24]. In accordance with some of our results, Eriksen et al [22] found no ethnic difference in general persistent pain and number of pain sites; however, the respondents in that study were 18-69 years old. Our results are also in line with studies on Sami and non-Sami adolescents [23].…”

“…However, regarding socioeconomic conditions, higher education levels are more common among women between 35 and 50 years old with a Sami background than among non-Sami women from the same area [21]. Previous Norwegian studies that included pain variables found that childhood violence was associated with adult pain regardless of ethnicity [22], and in a study of Sami and non-Sami adolescents, Eckhoff and Kvernmo found no ethnicity-related differences in musculoskeletal pain [23]. Among reindeer herders in Sweden, the prevalence rates for musculoskeletal pain have increased over recent decades, which has been considered a consequence of psychosocial, physical, and socioeconomic risk factors; however, there are only about 2000 Sami reindeer husbandries in each of northern Norway and Sweden [24].…”

Somatic health in the Indigenous Sami population - a systematic review

“…The most common causes of pain in the orofacial region are temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which are regarded as musculoskeletal disorders in the jaw-face region. Comorbidity between TMD, headache, and neck/shoulder pain was observed [12][13][14]34,35,37]. At the time of this review, no studies on musculoskeletal disorders among Sami existed from either Finland or Russia.…”

“…However, chest and stomach pain were more frequently reported by Sami men than non-Sami men. Sami women reported stomach and pelvic pain more frequently than non-Sami women [34]. In Sweden, frequent headaches were reported by 9.5% of a sample of young Sami, aged 18-28 [13], and in an adult Sami female population, 61% reported headaches.…”

The relationship between childhood emotional abuse and chronic pain among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada

“…To further understand this complexity, it is important to recognize that previous studies have shown that various forms of childhood abuse (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional) are also associated with higher likelihood of chronic pain and injection drug use during adulthood (Eriksen et al, 2016;Kerr et al, 2009;Lampe et al, 2000;Walsh, Jamieson, MacMillan, & Boyle, 2007). While less is known regarding the impact of childhood emotional abuse, especially among PWID, there is now compelling evidence suggesting childhood emotional abuse may be the most significant predictor of negative health outcomes among the childhood maltreatment categories (Glaser, 2002;Kaplan, Pelcovitz, & Labruna, 1999;Rees, 2010).…”