Current Projects
Veterans With Chronic Pain: A Multi-Perspective Assessment of Treatment and Service Needs
RECRUITMENT IN PROGRESS: If you are a veteran living with chronic pain (>3 months) and are interested in participating in an interview, please e-mail jkeilty@unb.ca to learn more.
Funding sources: Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans Community Building Initiative
Student Involvement: Julia Keilty (Ph.D. Student)
Project Description: The process of medical release from the Canadian Armed Forces can be complex and stressful to navigate, especially while living with a chronic health condition. This process may include barriers such as long wait times, and lack of access to services in rural areas (Government of Canada, 2014), but little is known about how the individuals involved in this process feel about it. The CAF members being released from the military and accessing rehabilitative services, the professionals providing healthcare services, and the case managers facilitating access to the services all have unique perspectives on the challenges of accessing chronic pain care and the effectiveness of the treatment. Because chronic pain and other chronic health conditions such as mental disorders are highly prevalent among veterans (Helmer et al., 2009; Pearson, Zamorski, & Janz, 2014; Seal et al., 2017; VanDenKerkhof et al., 2015), it is important to increase access to effective treatment for those who need it. Ultimately, this research will offer insights for healthcare professionals and Veterans Affairs Canada on how rehabilitative services can be more effective and accessible for veterans with chronic pain. Please note this is an independent, university-based project with no affiliation with Veterans Affairs Canada.
Funding sources: Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans Community Building Initiative
Student Involvement: Julia Keilty (Ph.D. Student)
Project Description: The process of medical release from the Canadian Armed Forces can be complex and stressful to navigate, especially while living with a chronic health condition. This process may include barriers such as long wait times, and lack of access to services in rural areas (Government of Canada, 2014), but little is known about how the individuals involved in this process feel about it. The CAF members being released from the military and accessing rehabilitative services, the professionals providing healthcare services, and the case managers facilitating access to the services all have unique perspectives on the challenges of accessing chronic pain care and the effectiveness of the treatment. Because chronic pain and other chronic health conditions such as mental disorders are highly prevalent among veterans (Helmer et al., 2009; Pearson, Zamorski, & Janz, 2014; Seal et al., 2017; VanDenKerkhof et al., 2015), it is important to increase access to effective treatment for those who need it. Ultimately, this research will offer insights for healthcare professionals and Veterans Affairs Canada on how rehabilitative services can be more effective and accessible for veterans with chronic pain. Please note this is an independent, university-based project with no affiliation with Veterans Affairs Canada.
Development and Validation of the Partner Acceptance Scale for Chronic Pain (PAS-CP)
Funding sources: Snodgrass Research Proposal Award
Community Partners: The Canadian Arthritis Society, Horizon Health Network
Student Involvement: Kirsten Gullickson (Ph.D. Student)
Project Description: Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Canadians and has a significant impact on patients and their romantic partners. Research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of chronic pain acceptance for patients, however partner acceptance of chronic pain has received very little attention in the literature. In fact, no attempts have been made to define partner acceptance of chronic pain and no psychometrically sound measure currently exists. As a result, the only two studies to date that have explored partner acceptance in an illness context utilized unvalidated measures of partner acceptance that may not have accurately captured the construct. To address this gap in the literature, I recently utilized qualitative methods to examine partner’s conceptualizations of acceptance of chronic pain. Five themes characterizing the partner acceptance process were identified: (1) understanding the nature of chronic pain, (2) believing in the authenticity of the patient’s pain, (3) letting go of negative feelings, (4) establishing a new normal, and (5) engaging in pleasurable activities. The present study will use those themes as a foundation for developing a new self-report measure, the Partner Acceptance Scale for Chronic Pain (PAS-CP). The project will be completed in two phases. In study 1 (the development phase), the PAS-CP item pool will be generated, reviewed by experts in the field, and pilot tested on a small sample of partners in the community. In study 2 (the validation phase), a sample of 300 partners will complete the PAS-CP and other measures of partner functioning (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, relationship satisfaction) via an online survey. Subsequently, the factor structure and psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) of the PAS-CP will be evaluated. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide preliminary evidence of the utility of chronic pain acceptance for partners.
Visit the link below to learn more and start the survey!
https://survey.psyc.unb.ca/Partners.aspx
Community Partners: The Canadian Arthritis Society, Horizon Health Network
Student Involvement: Kirsten Gullickson (Ph.D. Student)
Project Description: Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Canadians and has a significant impact on patients and their romantic partners. Research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of chronic pain acceptance for patients, however partner acceptance of chronic pain has received very little attention in the literature. In fact, no attempts have been made to define partner acceptance of chronic pain and no psychometrically sound measure currently exists. As a result, the only two studies to date that have explored partner acceptance in an illness context utilized unvalidated measures of partner acceptance that may not have accurately captured the construct. To address this gap in the literature, I recently utilized qualitative methods to examine partner’s conceptualizations of acceptance of chronic pain. Five themes characterizing the partner acceptance process were identified: (1) understanding the nature of chronic pain, (2) believing in the authenticity of the patient’s pain, (3) letting go of negative feelings, (4) establishing a new normal, and (5) engaging in pleasurable activities. The present study will use those themes as a foundation for developing a new self-report measure, the Partner Acceptance Scale for Chronic Pain (PAS-CP). The project will be completed in two phases. In study 1 (the development phase), the PAS-CP item pool will be generated, reviewed by experts in the field, and pilot tested on a small sample of partners in the community. In study 2 (the validation phase), a sample of 300 partners will complete the PAS-CP and other measures of partner functioning (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress, relationship satisfaction) via an online survey. Subsequently, the factor structure and psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) of the PAS-CP will be evaluated. The ultimate goal of the study is to provide preliminary evidence of the utility of chronic pain acceptance for partners.
Visit the link below to learn more and start the survey!
https://survey.psyc.unb.ca/Partners.aspx
Factors Affecting the Relationship and Sexual Well-Being of Patients with Fibromyalgia
Funding sources: McCain Foundation, Faculty Research Grants (Drs. Byers and LaChapelle)
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Faculty Involvement: Dr. Pablo Santos Iglesias (Banting Post-doctoral fellow), Dr. Sandra Byers, Dr. Diane LaChapelle
Student Involvement: Lyndsay Crump (Ph.D. Student), Kirsten Gullickson (Ph.D. Student), Charlene Belu (Ph.D. Student)
Fibromyalgia (FM), often has a tremendously negative effect on patients' overall quality of life (QoL) including physical, social, and mental health. Relationship satisfaction is an important aspect of QoL. Having a supportive, committed partner benefits chronic pain patients by lowering pain sensitivity and functional impairment and improving self-efficacy, self-esteem, and general mental/physical well-being.1 Unfortunately, fibromyalgia poses a serious challenge to relationship cohesion and stability and consequently marriages affected by fibromyalgia are less likely to succeed. Sexual well-being (SWB) is an important aspect of relationship adjustment and overall QoL and contributes to relationship stability. Indeed, fibromyalgia patients identify decreased SWB as an important concern. Despite anecdotal evidence, little is known about the impact of chronic pain on SWB. Thus, the goal of our overall research program is to enhance understanding of how chronic pain, and FM in particular (because FM affects 2 to 3% (approximately 500,000) of the adult population in Canada)impacts the relationship and sexual well-being of male and female patients' and their partners. Two qualitative studies are being conducted to examine patients' and partners' perceptions of: how FM has affected them, their partner, and their relationship; factors that have exacerbated or ameliorated the impact of FM on their own and their partner's SWB; and, the information patients have received from their healthcare providers regarding FM and sexuality.
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Faculty Involvement: Dr. Pablo Santos Iglesias (Banting Post-doctoral fellow), Dr. Sandra Byers, Dr. Diane LaChapelle
Student Involvement: Lyndsay Crump (Ph.D. Student), Kirsten Gullickson (Ph.D. Student), Charlene Belu (Ph.D. Student)
Fibromyalgia (FM), often has a tremendously negative effect on patients' overall quality of life (QoL) including physical, social, and mental health. Relationship satisfaction is an important aspect of QoL. Having a supportive, committed partner benefits chronic pain patients by lowering pain sensitivity and functional impairment and improving self-efficacy, self-esteem, and general mental/physical well-being.1 Unfortunately, fibromyalgia poses a serious challenge to relationship cohesion and stability and consequently marriages affected by fibromyalgia are less likely to succeed. Sexual well-being (SWB) is an important aspect of relationship adjustment and overall QoL and contributes to relationship stability. Indeed, fibromyalgia patients identify decreased SWB as an important concern. Despite anecdotal evidence, little is known about the impact of chronic pain on SWB. Thus, the goal of our overall research program is to enhance understanding of how chronic pain, and FM in particular (because FM affects 2 to 3% (approximately 500,000) of the adult population in Canada)impacts the relationship and sexual well-being of male and female patients' and their partners. Two qualitative studies are being conducted to examine patients' and partners' perceptions of: how FM has affected them, their partner, and their relationship; factors that have exacerbated or ameliorated the impact of FM on their own and their partner's SWB; and, the information patients have received from their healthcare providers regarding FM and sexuality.
| Partner Perspectives: The Impact of Arthritis on Individual and Relationship Functioning |
2017 Canadian Pain Society: Is sex worth the pain? Willingness to engage in sexual activity among partnered women with fibromyalgia.
| gullickson_cps_poster__final_.pdf |
Social Media Based Peer-Support Groups for Fibromyalgia: A Help or a Hindrance?
Student leader: Lyndsay Crump
Funding source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Student Involvement: Rehab Lab students and volunteers
Project Description: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disorder characterized by chronic pain and a varying cluster of additional symptoms (e.g., fatigue, sleep and memory difficulties, and mood issues). Due largely to its invisible nature and unexplained origins, individuals with fibromyalgia often face skepticism, dismissal and a lack of support from health-care professionals, family members, and friends alike. Peer run electronic support groups (ESGs) provide an ideal platform for those affected by contested illnesses like fibromyalgia to seek and offer support and information from similarly affected peers, and to generate increased awareness for the disorder. Individuals can electronically log on at any time, from any place and with relative anonymity to discuss their symptoms and illness-related experiences without the threat of negative evaluation. Social media (i.e., Facebook) has greatly facilitated the development of illness-related ESGs, connecting hundreds and even thousands of persons with fibromyalgia globally. Patients anecdotally describe these groups as invaluable sources of information and support. Conversely, physicians attribute patient noncompliance, the proliferation of misinformation, and even the medicalization of this contested disorder to such consumer peer groups. Thus far, only one study has examined how ESGs can function as a mechanism of consumer driven medicalization and physician disparagement (Barker, 2010). Given how prolific peer-to-peer illness ESGs have become (a preliminary search identified a dozen groups with between roughly 500 and 13,500 members each), examination of the purpose or function of such groups and the themes embedded in the content presented to members is warranted. The purpose of the current study is to assess three peer-run fibromyalgia specific Facebook ESGs to determine what purpose or function this support medium may serve for individuals, and what thematic messages such a group may deliberately or unintentionally promote. Content analysis (Krippendorff, 1989) of messages posted on the groups' walls over a 90 day period in 2014 obtained using electronic ethnographic methodology will be conducted to achieve this purpose.
Funding source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Student Involvement: Rehab Lab students and volunteers
Project Description: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disorder characterized by chronic pain and a varying cluster of additional symptoms (e.g., fatigue, sleep and memory difficulties, and mood issues). Due largely to its invisible nature and unexplained origins, individuals with fibromyalgia often face skepticism, dismissal and a lack of support from health-care professionals, family members, and friends alike. Peer run electronic support groups (ESGs) provide an ideal platform for those affected by contested illnesses like fibromyalgia to seek and offer support and information from similarly affected peers, and to generate increased awareness for the disorder. Individuals can electronically log on at any time, from any place and with relative anonymity to discuss their symptoms and illness-related experiences without the threat of negative evaluation. Social media (i.e., Facebook) has greatly facilitated the development of illness-related ESGs, connecting hundreds and even thousands of persons with fibromyalgia globally. Patients anecdotally describe these groups as invaluable sources of information and support. Conversely, physicians attribute patient noncompliance, the proliferation of misinformation, and even the medicalization of this contested disorder to such consumer peer groups. Thus far, only one study has examined how ESGs can function as a mechanism of consumer driven medicalization and physician disparagement (Barker, 2010). Given how prolific peer-to-peer illness ESGs have become (a preliminary search identified a dozen groups with between roughly 500 and 13,500 members each), examination of the purpose or function of such groups and the themes embedded in the content presented to members is warranted. The purpose of the current study is to assess three peer-run fibromyalgia specific Facebook ESGs to determine what purpose or function this support medium may serve for individuals, and what thematic messages such a group may deliberately or unintentionally promote. Content analysis (Krippendorff, 1989) of messages posted on the groups' walls over a 90 day period in 2014 obtained using electronic ethnographic methodology will be conducted to achieve this purpose.
Current Research: Dr. LaChapelle
In addition to the research she is working on with her students, Dr. LaChapelle's current work is focused on three main areas: (1) examining perceptions of patients with pain and determining how various stereotypes (e.g., physical attractiveness, gender, nature of the pain condition) impact the conclusions health professionals, loved ones, and general community members draw about the person in pain; (2) the process of pain acceptance and identification of factors that facilitate acceptance; and (3) examining the impact of chronic pain on sexual wellbeing.
PREVIOUS RESEARCH PROJECTS
Identifying the Features of Partner Acceptance of Arthritis: A Qualitative Analysis
Funding: McCain Foundation
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Student Leader: Kirsten Gullickson (PhD Student)
Project Description: Arthritis is a highly prevalent chronic medical condition that negatively impacts patients, but also their partners. Research has shown that acceptance, a willingness to embrace thoughts, feelings, and sensations without trying to change or avoid them and behaving in a manner consistent with personal values, is associated with better outcomes in patients, but its benefits have yet to be explored in partners. To date, no validated definition of partner acceptance has been identified, thus it is unclear whether partner acceptance can be conceptualized in the same way as patient acceptance. The goal of the study is to use qualitative research methods to determine how partners conceptualize acceptance. The objectives of the study are to: (1) Identify the most relevant, concerning, and prevalent consequences of patient arthritis on partners; (2) Determine how partners conceptualize their acceptance of the patients' arthritis; and (3) Establish if partner acceptance is similar to patient acceptance.
Find the article here!
Gullickson, K. M., & LaChapelle, D. L. (2018). Identifying the features of partner acceptance of arthritis: A qualitative analysis. Canadian Journal of Pain, 2(1), 205-217. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2018.1485482
Funding: McCain Foundation
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Student Leader: Kirsten Gullickson (PhD Student)
Project Description: Arthritis is a highly prevalent chronic medical condition that negatively impacts patients, but also their partners. Research has shown that acceptance, a willingness to embrace thoughts, feelings, and sensations without trying to change or avoid them and behaving in a manner consistent with personal values, is associated with better outcomes in patients, but its benefits have yet to be explored in partners. To date, no validated definition of partner acceptance has been identified, thus it is unclear whether partner acceptance can be conceptualized in the same way as patient acceptance. The goal of the study is to use qualitative research methods to determine how partners conceptualize acceptance. The objectives of the study are to: (1) Identify the most relevant, concerning, and prevalent consequences of patient arthritis on partners; (2) Determine how partners conceptualize their acceptance of the patients' arthritis; and (3) Establish if partner acceptance is similar to patient acceptance.
Find the article here!
Gullickson, K. M., & LaChapelle, D. L. (2018). Identifying the features of partner acceptance of arthritis: A qualitative analysis. Canadian Journal of Pain, 2(1), 205-217. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2018.1485482
2015 British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting: Learning to live with arthritis: Partners' definitions of acceptance.
| bps_poster_-_final__pdf_.pdf |
The Impact of Chronic Pain on New Romantic Relationships: A Qualitative Analysis
Funding: McCain Foundation
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Student Leader: Lyndsay Crump (PhD Student)
Project Description: Studies show that supportive intimate partners can act as a buffer for individuals with chronic pain (CP), helping to reduce levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptom severity. The effects of CP, however, often challenge the relationships of those affected and as a result individuals with CP are more likely to be without a partner. Thus far, the majority of research exploring how CP impacts romantic relationships has focused exclusively on individuals in married, long-term relationships (Relationship Maintenance phase; Knapp, 1983) while excluding those in less committed, newer romantic relationships. Given the known benefits of having a committed, supportive romantic partner, it is important to further our understanding of how CP impacts romantic relationships in their initiation and early formative stages, conceptualized as the Coming Together phase of relationship development (Knapp, 1983). The implications described by participants in semi-structured interviews will be extracted and categorized using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) in order to develop a framework for understanding the impact of CP on new romantic relationship in the Coming Together phase. Findings of this study will inform the planned follow-up quantitative study.
Funding: McCain Foundation
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society
Student Leader: Lyndsay Crump (PhD Student)
Project Description: Studies show that supportive intimate partners can act as a buffer for individuals with chronic pain (CP), helping to reduce levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptom severity. The effects of CP, however, often challenge the relationships of those affected and as a result individuals with CP are more likely to be without a partner. Thus far, the majority of research exploring how CP impacts romantic relationships has focused exclusively on individuals in married, long-term relationships (Relationship Maintenance phase; Knapp, 1983) while excluding those in less committed, newer romantic relationships. Given the known benefits of having a committed, supportive romantic partner, it is important to further our understanding of how CP impacts romantic relationships in their initiation and early formative stages, conceptualized as the Coming Together phase of relationship development (Knapp, 1983). The implications described by participants in semi-structured interviews will be extracted and categorized using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) in order to develop a framework for understanding the impact of CP on new romantic relationship in the Coming Together phase. Findings of this study will inform the planned follow-up quantitative study.
2017 Canadian Pain Society: Incorporating pain experiences into personal identity.
| 2017_cps_poster_format_slide.pdf |
2015 Canadian Student Health Research Conference: Acceptance underlies romantic-partner seeking success among persons with chronic pain.
| cshrf_poster-_final_draft._th_edit.pdf |
2015 British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting: "Who would want to date me?" The impact of chronic pain on new romantic relationships
| bps_2015_poster-draft3.pdf |
Work-Related Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Factors Influencing Treatment and Compensation Decisions.
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Community Partner: Workers Rehabilitation Centre
Student Involvement: Marcie Balch (Ph.D. student), Danielle Rioux (honours student), Danielle Culp (honours student)
Project Description: Disability claims related to chronic pain (CP) represent a significant and costly concern for the Canadian health care system. Given the lack of an objective and standardized means to assess chronic pain, clinicians and insurance adjudicators must base their judgments on the patient's communicated experience of pain and on the results of physical and psychological assessments. Nevertheless, research has shown that factors unrelated to the pain experience (e.g., patient's attractiveness, perceiver's attributional style and degree of health care experience) contribute to erroneous judgments about pain levels, degree of disability, and entitlement to compensation. The objectives of this research are: (1) To examine the extent to which verbal and nonverbal expressions of pain are influenced by patients' beliefs about pain, coping styles, and emotional reactions; (2) To determine what patient-related factors influence observers' decisions regarding treatment, perceived level of pain and disability, and entitlement to compensation; and (3) To examine what decision maker-related factors contribute to decisions about treatment, disability, pain, and compensation. The focus will be on examining the decision maker's attributional style, level of training/experience, and his or her emotional reaction to the patient.
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Community Partner: Workers Rehabilitation Centre
Student Involvement: Marcie Balch (Ph.D. student), Danielle Rioux (honours student), Danielle Culp (honours student)
Project Description: Disability claims related to chronic pain (CP) represent a significant and costly concern for the Canadian health care system. Given the lack of an objective and standardized means to assess chronic pain, clinicians and insurance adjudicators must base their judgments on the patient's communicated experience of pain and on the results of physical and psychological assessments. Nevertheless, research has shown that factors unrelated to the pain experience (e.g., patient's attractiveness, perceiver's attributional style and degree of health care experience) contribute to erroneous judgments about pain levels, degree of disability, and entitlement to compensation. The objectives of this research are: (1) To examine the extent to which verbal and nonverbal expressions of pain are influenced by patients' beliefs about pain, coping styles, and emotional reactions; (2) To determine what patient-related factors influence observers' decisions regarding treatment, perceived level of pain and disability, and entitlement to compensation; and (3) To examine what decision maker-related factors contribute to decisions about treatment, disability, pain, and compensation. The focus will be on examining the decision maker's attributional style, level of training/experience, and his or her emotional reaction to the patient.
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Download Diane's poster: Does sex matter? Health professionals' perceptions of patients with chronic pain.
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The Impact of Communication Impairments on the Detection and Treatment of Pain Among Persons with Traumatic Head Injury
Community Partner: Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation
Student Involvement: Tanya Bollivar (honors student), Kathleen Macoomb & Jordan Kinden (basic research students)
Project Description: The most common form of communication used to assess pain in clinical and research settings is self-report. Nevertheless self-report has significant limitations - most notably it may be unavailable in some persons. Individuals with acquired cognitive impairments (e.g., stroke or traumatic brain injury [TBI]), may have difficulty verbally communicating their experience of pain. This difficulty can have serious consequences and has been hypothesized as a primary contributor to the under-treatment of pain. Harald & Jarland (2005), for example, found that seniors with dementia received less pain medication than those without dementia in a nursing home setting. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of communication impairments on the detection and treatment of pain among person with traumatic brain injuries who are undergoing tertiary rehabilitation. We examined archival data from a tertiary rehabilitation centre was examined to identify the relationship between communication impairments and pain treatment among persons with TBI.
Project Results: Contrary to previous findings, we found no relationship between communication abilities and pain treatment received. This suggests that health professionals in this setting are cognizant of the possible impact of communication impairments and make efforts to minimize its impact. It also suggests that knowledge from research that has identified the risks associated with communication impairments is being successfully transferred to front line health care workers in rehabilitation settings.
These findings were presented as a poster at the Canadian Psychological Association Conference in 2008
Community Partner: Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation
Student Involvement: Tanya Bollivar (honors student), Kathleen Macoomb & Jordan Kinden (basic research students)
Project Description: The most common form of communication used to assess pain in clinical and research settings is self-report. Nevertheless self-report has significant limitations - most notably it may be unavailable in some persons. Individuals with acquired cognitive impairments (e.g., stroke or traumatic brain injury [TBI]), may have difficulty verbally communicating their experience of pain. This difficulty can have serious consequences and has been hypothesized as a primary contributor to the under-treatment of pain. Harald & Jarland (2005), for example, found that seniors with dementia received less pain medication than those without dementia in a nursing home setting. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the impact of communication impairments on the detection and treatment of pain among person with traumatic brain injuries who are undergoing tertiary rehabilitation. We examined archival data from a tertiary rehabilitation centre was examined to identify the relationship between communication impairments and pain treatment among persons with TBI.
Project Results: Contrary to previous findings, we found no relationship between communication abilities and pain treatment received. This suggests that health professionals in this setting are cognizant of the possible impact of communication impairments and make efforts to minimize its impact. It also suggests that knowledge from research that has identified the risks associated with communication impairments is being successfully transferred to front line health care workers in rehabilitation settings.
These findings were presented as a poster at the Canadian Psychological Association Conference in 2008
Watch the powerpoint
Acceptance of Chronic Pain
Student Involvement: Susan Lavoie (Ph.D. Student), Ainsley Boudreau (honours student), Tracy Hands (basic research student), William Johnston (volunteer)
Project Description: Pain acceptance is the process of giving up the struggle with pain and learning to live life despite pain and it is associated with lower levels of pain, disability, and psychological distress. Relatively little is known, however, about how patients arrive at a state of acceptance without the aid of therapy. This study explored personal definitions of acceptance and the factors that facilitated or hindered acceptance. Eleven focus groups involving a total of 45 women with arthritis and fibromyalgia were conducted. The qualitative analysis revealed that, while the women rejected the word acceptance, they did agree with the main components of existing research definitions. The women's responses revealed that acceptance was a process of realizations and acknowledgements including: realizing the pain was not normal and help was needed; receiving a diagnosis; acknowledging there was no cure; and realizing they needed to redefine normal. Diagnosis, social support, educating self and others, and self-care were factors that promoted acceptance. Struggling to retain a pre-pain identity, negative impacts on relationships, others not accepting, and the unspoken message that the pain was "all in their head" were barriers to acceptance.
Project Results: The full results of this study have been published: LaChapelle, D.L., Lavoie, S., & Boudreau, A. (2008). The meaning and process of pain acceptance. Perceptions of women living with Arthritis/Fibromyalgia. Pain Research & Management, 13(3), 201-210.
Student Involvement: Susan Lavoie (Ph.D. Student), Ainsley Boudreau (honours student), Tracy Hands (basic research student), William Johnston (volunteer)
Project Description: Pain acceptance is the process of giving up the struggle with pain and learning to live life despite pain and it is associated with lower levels of pain, disability, and psychological distress. Relatively little is known, however, about how patients arrive at a state of acceptance without the aid of therapy. This study explored personal definitions of acceptance and the factors that facilitated or hindered acceptance. Eleven focus groups involving a total of 45 women with arthritis and fibromyalgia were conducted. The qualitative analysis revealed that, while the women rejected the word acceptance, they did agree with the main components of existing research definitions. The women's responses revealed that acceptance was a process of realizations and acknowledgements including: realizing the pain was not normal and help was needed; receiving a diagnosis; acknowledging there was no cure; and realizing they needed to redefine normal. Diagnosis, social support, educating self and others, and self-care were factors that promoted acceptance. Struggling to retain a pre-pain identity, negative impacts on relationships, others not accepting, and the unspoken message that the pain was "all in their head" were barriers to acceptance.
Project Results: The full results of this study have been published: LaChapelle, D.L., Lavoie, S., & Boudreau, A. (2008). The meaning and process of pain acceptance. Perceptions of women living with Arthritis/Fibromyalgia. Pain Research & Management, 13(3), 201-210.
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Download Susan's poster: Impact of patient and observer characteristics on perceptions of women with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Age-Related Differences in Pain, Coping, and Adjustment
Funding: University of New Brunswick, Faculty Research Fund Competition
Community Partner: The Arthritis Society - New Brunswick Division
Student Involvement: Theresa Dever (honours student), Judy McNichol (basic research student), Petra McDowell (Ph.D. Student)
Project Description: Adjustment to chronic pain has been found to be widely diverse, ranging from little disruption in daily life to total disability and from little emotional distress to clinically significant levels of distress (Atkinson et al., 1991). According to the transactional model of coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), this variability in adjustment is dependent on the individual's evaluation of the pain (cognitive appraisal), and the coping strategies he or she chooses to employ in order to manage the pain. A significant limitation of the existing research, however, has been the almost exclusive focus on examining pain and coping among young adults. Despite the existence of pain among persons of all ages, individuals over 65 have been consistently underrepresented and developmental issues have largely been ignored. The purpose of this present research was to empirically examine the extent to which age impacts the experience and appraisal of pain and how these age-related differences in pain experience and pain beliefs impact on coping strategy use and on adjustment to pain.
Project results: Results of this study were published: Lachapelle, D.L. & Hadjistavropoulos, T. (2005). Age-related differences in coping with pain: Evaluation of a developmental life-context model. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 37, 123-137.
Other research findings:
2014 Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting: Impact of responsibility attributions and patient gender on nurses' and nursing students' emotional responses and willingness to help patients with chronic low back pain.
| lyndsay_cps_2014.pdf |
2014 Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting: Exploring the relationship between social support, chronic pain acceptance, and psychological outcomes in individuals with arthritis.
| kirsten_gullickson_-_cps_2014_poster.pdf |
Download Jeff's poster: Evaluation of chronic pain-related information available to consumers on the internet.
| websiteposter_0425.pdf |
| Pamphlet: CP info on the internet |