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Coping with Chronic Pain

Some Patients Suffer More

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Naomi H. Elton ,
Magdi M. H. Hanna  and
Janet Treasure
Naomi H. Elton*
Affiliation:
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London
Magdi M. H. Hanna
Affiliation:
Pain Relief Unit, Kings College Hospital, London
Janet Treasure
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr Elton, Department of Psychological Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London WC1 3JH
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Abstract

Background

A multi-dimensional approach was used to examine coping in chronic pain. The following hypotheses were tested: (a) patients who cope maladaptively also cope generally in a similar way; (b) patients' maladaptive coping is associated with childhood adversity.

Method

Cross-sectional and retrospective data were collected from 68 consecutive patients (aged 18–70) at a pain clinic where their disease was non-systemic and the pain had lasted for at least three months. Sixty-one patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–III–R, and the Measure of Parental Care in Childhood. All patients completed questionnaires on their pain and personality.

Results

Two coping styles emerged from factor analysis. One was associated with chronicity, psychiatric morbidity, harm avoidance, immature defence style and reporting parental indifference.

Conclusion

Patients may be predisposed to cope maladaptively after the experience of parental indifference in early life. Such coping is likely to reflect more general patterns.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 165 , Issue 6 , December 1994 , pp. 802 - 807
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

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