The Problem Strategy and Emotion Focus Coping with Pain Intensity in Post Major Surgery

Pain Expectations, Experiences and Coping Strategies Used By Post-operative Patients: A Descriptive Phenomelogical Study

“…Some believed that the pain they were experiencing is normal and something that is usually associated with the surgery hence they just have to endure the pain. For some participants’ movements aggravate their pain hence they will prefer relaxing, the findings from this study are consistent with others studies which has concluded that praying (38), relaxation and social withdrawal (12) are coping strategies use by patients, experiencing pain to add to this is the fact that emotion focus coping strategies are more effective in minimizing post-surgical pain (11). It have been seen that strategies like expressing emotions and reassuring thoughts are more related to more perceived control and in turn better psychological well-being.…”

“…These strategies imply that participants attempted to take control for their pain management. This implies that appropriate coping strategies can therefore provide patients with the ability to adjust and be ready to tackle the stressor which may be in the form of pain, damage to body tissue or decrease mobility(11). Clinicians should therefore appreciate the fact that certain coping strategies can help augment the management of postoperative pain as this may help in counseling and shaping personalized pain management to help improve patient recovery(41).…”

“…Patients' own pain coping strategies is believed to be one patient-centered approach that has been seen to help minimize the pain intensity in post-major surgery as when these coping strategies are effective, they help to produce permanent adaptation (11).Therefore, understanding coping is critical to optimizing healthy development and thus providing the needed support that patients may need to better manage their post-operative pain (12).…”