Spouse Beliefs About Partner Chronic Pain

Caño, Annmarie; Miller, Lisa R.; Loree, Amy M.

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2008.11.005

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…First, the findings are consistent with existing research showing that the spouses’ beliefs and thoughts are associated with psychosocial adjustment in patients with chronic pain 30, 31 but also show that this particular aspect of spouses’ cognitive-emotional functioning plays an important role in patients’ social environments. Additional research is needed on the predictors of spousal support since social support is associated with a host of pain adjustment variables including patients’ pain coping, pain adjustment, and psychological distress.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Spousal Mindfulness and Social Support in Couples With Chronic Pain

Williams

Caño

2014

The Clinical Journal of Pain

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Objectives Existing research has reported the correlation between patients’ psychological flexibility, of which mindfulness is a component, and their perceptions of the spouses’ support provision. It is quite likely that spouses’ mindfulness, in particular certain aspects of mindfulness, is also related to the support they provide to patients. The current study examined this issue. Methods The sample included 51 couples in which one partner had chronic pain. Patients and their spouses each completed a questionnaire that assessed three facets of their own mindfulness (i.e., non-reactivity, acting with awareness, non-judging). In addition, patients reported on their pain-related psychological flexibility, marital satisfaction, and perceptions of spousal support. Results Only one facet of patients’ mindfulness (i.e., non-reactivity) was related to their perceptions of their spouses as being emotionally responsive to them. Spouses’ non-judging and non-reactivity were negatively correlated with punishing spouse responses. In addition, spouses’ acting with awareness was positively correlated with patients’ reports of perceived partner responsiveness and instrumental support and negatively correlated with patients’ reports of punishing spouse responses, often over and above the contribution of patients' own mindfulness or pain-related psychological flexibility. Discussion Spouses’ mindfulness, especially as it pertains to acting with awareness, was most consistently associated with patient perceptions of spousal support. These findings suggest that acting with awareness should be examined further including the possible contributions this type of mindfulness may make to healthy relationship behaviors in the context of pain.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Spousal Mindfulness and Social Support in Couples With Chronic Pain

Williams

Caño

2014

The Clinical Journal of Pain

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“…Furthermore, research in this area tends to focus on individual illness perceptions, yet it has been suggested that the significant others (spouse/partner/close family member) of individuals with persistent pain may have an important mediating influence on illness course and occupational outcomes [18-22]. Previous research suggests that significant others are salient sources of discriminative cues, punishment or reinforcement for pain behaviours [18-20], and that spousal pain beliefs about disability, treatment control and medication are significantly correlated with partners’ pain severity and other indicators of pain adjustment [23]. Significant others’ behavioural responses have additionally been shown to be associated with patient outcomes in other chronic illness conditions [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illness perceptions in the context of differing work participation outcomes: exploring the influence of significant others in persistent back pain

Brooks

McCluskey

King

et al. 2013

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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BackgroundPrevious research has demonstrated that the significant others of individuals with persistent back pain may have important influences on work participation outcomes. The aim of this study was to extend previous research by including individuals who have remained in work despite persistent back pain in addition to those who had become incapacitated for work, along with their significant others. The purpose of this research was to explore whether the illness beliefs of significant others differed depending on their relative’s working status, and to make some preliminary identification of how significant others may facilitate or hinder work participation for those with persistent back pain.MethodsInterviews structured around the Illness Perception Questionnaire (chronic pain version) were conducted with back pain patients recruited from a hospital pain management clinic along with their significant others. Some patients had remained in work despite their back pain; others had ceased employment. Data were analysed using template analysis.ResultsThere were clear differences between beliefs about, and reported responses to, back pain symptoms amongst the significant others of individuals who had remained in employment compared with the significant others of those who had ceased work. Three overarching themes emerged: perceived consequences of back pain, specific nature of employment and the impact of back pain on patient identity.ConclusionsSignificant others of employed individuals with back pain focused on the extent to which activity could still be undertaken despite back pain symptoms. Individuals out of work due to persistent back pain apparently self-limited their activity and were supported in their beliefs and behaviours by their significant others. To justify incapacity due to back pain, this group had seemingly become entrenched in a position whereby it was crucial that the individual with back pain was perceived as completely disabled. We suggest that significant others are clearly important, and potentially detrimental, sources of support to individuals with back pain. The inclusion of significant others in vocational rehabilitation programmes could potentially be a valuable way of mobilising readily accessible resources in a way that supports optimal functioning.

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“…Early observational studies focused on the role of operant factors [75], but there has been interest more recently also in cognitive factors [76]. Significant others are an integral part of the communal coping model of catastrophizing [20].…”

Section: Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: the Role Of Significant Othersmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Psychosocial Influences On Chronic Pain

Main

2013

Pain Manage.

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SUMMARY Recent experimental and clinical studies into the nature of chronic pain and its development have highlighted the importance of psychosocial factors on the perception of pain and response to it. There have been advances in the understanding of not only the biological substrate, but also the nature and influence of specific psychological and social factors in particular. A range of new explanatory models have stimulated new approaches to treatment directed not only at the reduction of pain and its impact, but also at the identification of early indicators or risk factors for the development of chronicity. The purpose of this paper is to attempt a summary and integration of these diverse research findings and identify the next set of research challenges that might serve as a basis for more clearly focused and targeted approaches to multifaceted pain management and perhaps c ontribute to reduction in the burden of chronic pain.*Arthritis Care UK National Primary Care Centre, Keele University, North Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK; profcmain@gmail.com Complete cures for chronic pain are often unachievable, so we need to help the patient develop more realistic expectations, with a focus on the impact of pain in terms of function and emotional wellbeing.In meeting this challenge adoption of an evidence-based biopsychosocial framework is required.For most patients, identifying the relevant psychosocial factors will increase the range of therapeutic options and maximize the opportunity to assist the patient to gain/regain control of their symptoms and their impact.Many chronic patients have been ill-served by their encounters with healthcare professionals. The first objective of treatment therefore must be to identify and address possible iatrogenic confusion and distress, and offer appropriate reassurance as a precursor to exploring treatment options.Restructuring clinical assessment specifically to begin with a careful elicitation of the patient's understanding, expectations, beliefs and concerns offers a framework within which to facilitate self-disclosure, identify need for reassurance and embark on the planning of effective interventions.In chronic pain patients, it is important to recognize that many psychosocial factors, which may be perceived as obstacles to recovery, may in fact by repositioned as opportunities to develop more effective interventions. Practice PointsThe importance of psychosocial influences on chronic pain MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVEChris J Main* Any attempt to treat chronic pain necessitates consideration not only of the nature of chronic pain but also why and how it persists. The gate control theory of pain [1] has spawned a plethora of investigations into peripheral and central pain mechanisms. New techniques such as imaging [2] have supported sophisticated and wide-ranging investigations of its neurobiological substrate [3] holding the promise of further enhancing our understanding of fundamental pain mechanisms. However the experience of pain is ultimately perceptual and the nature a...

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Spouse Beliefs About Partner Chronic Pain

Cited by 35 publications

References 33 publications

Spousal Mindfulness and Social Support in Couples With Chronic Pain

Spousal Mindfulness and Social Support in Couples With Chronic Pain

Illness perceptions in the context of differing work participation outcomes: exploring the influence of significant others in persistent back pain

The Importance of Psychosocial Influences On Chronic Pain

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