Cutting the cord? Parenting emerging adults with chronic pain

Abstract

Chronic pain is a significant socio-economic and humanitarian burden affecting both children and adults. 1,2 With chronic pain occurring across the lifespan, many studies have focused on pain in children, adolescents, and adults while less is known specifically about pain during emerging adulthood. Research is gaining momentum, 3-5 but the experience of the emerging adult-parent dyad has not been considered in the context of chronic pain, particularly with the emergence of a parenting style described as helicopter parenting. Often defined

Special issue on “Self‐management challenges of chronic pain experiences in children and young people: A developmental perspective”

“…3 Critically, supporting the development of effective self-management at this point in development and into emerging adulthood is important since effective self-management of pain can offset potential lifelong pain-related disability. 4 Many evidence-based treatment programmes for chronic pain promote the necessary skills to self-manage pain episodes such as using relaxation, acceptance-based approaches, problem-solving, continued and consistent engagement with exercises, and medication adherence. 5 However, there is no standardized operationalization of self-management in the context of pediatric chronic pain and how self-management (and its impact on young people) should be assessed.…”

“…The developmental challenges in coping with chronic pain, and the centrality of the social context were further illustrated in the article by Jones et al 10 In this article, Jones and colleagues used several forms of data (diaries and multiple interviews) to innovatively Lastly, the special issue ends with a narrative review 4 focusing on an often-overlooked sample in the context of pediatric chronic pain: emerging adults (aged 18-30 years of age). In particular, and in line with the centrality of the social context highlighted in the majority of articles within this special issue, the review reflects upon the role of parents in the context of managing pediatric pain.…”

“… 3 Critically, supporting the development of effective self‐management at this point in development and into emerging adulthood is important since effective self‐management of pain can offset potential lifelong pain‐related disability. 4 …”

“…This special issue collected four cutting‐edge articles which expand upon the existing knowledge concerning the impact of developmental challenges that young people and their parents may face with regard to engaging with effective self‐management strategies for managing their chronic pain. Articles within the special issue adopt a range of methodologies (i.e., mixed methods design, qualitative design, intervention development, and narrative review) across various key stages of young people's development, including the stage of emerging adulthood (18–30 years 4 ). It is noteworthy to mention that across the articles, a different operationalization for young people was adopted, ranging from the typical narrow adolescent focus (11–17 years adopted by Ghio et al 8 ) to wider operationalizations (e.g., 8–18 years 9 or 12–22 years of age 10 ).…”

“…Lastly, the special issue ends with a narrative review 4 focusing on an often‐overlooked sample in the context of pediatric chronic pain: emerging adults (aged 18–30 years of age). In particular, and in line with the centrality of the social context highlighted in the majority of articles within this special issue, the review reflects upon the role of parents in the context of managing pediatric pain.…”