Chronic Pain and the Family: Theory-Driven Treatment Approaches

Abstract

The chronic pain experience is the product of a complex interaction of many factors including biological, social, psychological, environmental, and familial. The presence of chronic pain can impact the family system with significant, negative consequences; the family may also be responsible, in part, for maintaining and perpetuating pain problems. The need to examine the family dimension of the chronic pain experience and offer family/couple therapy, should it be indicated, is vital to comprehensive pain management. Operant behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and structural family therapy approaches are advocated for such families, along with a clear need for controlled evaluations of these approaches.

Life Satisfaction in Chronic Pain Patients: The Stress-Buffering Role of the Centrality of Religion

“…Approximately one‐third of the world's population suffers from the physical and functional limitations associated with CP (IASP 2003), and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are often comorbid with CP (Poleshuk et al 2009). Additionally, CP patients deal with a broad range of secondary pain‐related challenges, such as job loss, marital strain, and social isolation, which further compromise adjustment and negatively affect subjective well‐being (SWB) (Lewandowski et al 2007; Strine et al 2008).…”

Utilizing the Integrated Problem-Centered Metaframeworks Perspective to Help Families Cope with Chronic Physical Pain: A Case Illustration

“…Families, for example, are often emotionally unprepared and overwhelmed (e.g., depressed, angry, guilty, and lacking in intimacy) by the chronic pain and find their ability to cope, function, and communicate severely compromised (Lewandowski et al, 2007).…”

“…Family members also experience loss of intimacy as well as other changes in family dynamics. Furthermore, family function becomes constrained (e.g., communication, activities, and interactions) center on pain and illness, and pain can be the symptom holding the family together (Lewandowski et al, 2007). The need, then, for family-based structural interventions grounded in biopsychosocial conceptualizations when dealing with chronic physical pain cannot be overestimated.…”

“…Systemic interventions such as couples and family therapy enhance the support for the person with the chronic illness and other family members (Lewandowski et al, 2007). Families with chronic illness experience stress that affects their structure (e.g., boundaries, roles, rules, alliances, communication, and ability to manage conflict), and, at times, these symptoms, and the illness, may demand so much attention that it organizes the families structure and function (Christenson & Crane, 2003).…”

“…Treatment should concentrate on changing the structure of the family so a new homeostasis can be reached that negates one member taking on the sick role. Family therapy involves attention to relationships between family members and targeting patterns of beliefs, communication, and transactions that represent barriers to optimal family functioning (Lewandowski et al, 2007).…”