Perceptions of gendered and ungendered pain relief norms and stereotypes using Q-methodology

The perception, understanding and experience of flourishing in young people living with chronic pain: A Q-methodology study

Much research has adopted a deficits-based approach to chronic pain, neglecting the study of flourishing. Using a Q-methodological framework, this study sought to explore how individuals experience, understand and perceive flourishing in the context of young people living with chronic pain. Fifty-four individuals completed a Q-sorting task, indicating their level of agreement and disagreement with 52 statements. Q-analysis generated three factors that represented clear viewpoints of participants: 'Pain is not a barrier to flourishing', 'Adapting to a new life' and 'Adopting a positive perspective'. Factors expressed the viewpoints that flexibility is key to enjoying life despite chronic pain, while resilience, management of stressors, acceptance and problem-solving may be required to flourish with chronic pain. Participants' understanding of flourishing also focused on the appreciation and enjoyment of life and achievements. This study provides a useful contribution towards furthering our understanding of flourishing in young people living with chronic pain.

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms in Chilean Victims of Political Violence During the 1973 to 1990 Dictatorship

People who suffer political violence (PV) are at risk of developing mental illness, chronic noncommunicable diseases, chronic pain, and decreased life expectancy. However, these indicators have been studied primarily in war veterans and refugees. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and central sensitization-related symptoms (CSRS) in Chilean victims of PV during the 1973 to 1990 dictatorship. A cross-sectional observational multicenter study was conducted. Three hundred twenty-five people from six centers of a Ministry of Health of Chile program participated. The presence of CMP was determined by a history of pain ≥3 months, and CSRS was determined using the central sensitization inventory. About 69.23% of the sample had CMP (76.85% of females and 56.56% of males). About 60% of people with CMP showed a high level of CSRS severity (66.67% females and 44.93% males). Females presented significantly higher proportions of CMP (p < .001), and there was an association between CSRS severity and being female (p = .004). Chilean victims of PV during the 1973 to 1990 dictatorship presented a high prevalence of CMP and high-level CSRS severity. Both conditions affected females more than males. Future studies are needed to further delve into these variables' behavior and their influence on the quality of life in this population.

The gender context of pain

Pain is a major source of global suffering, with women bearing the greatest burden. Alongside biology, psychological and social factors, including gender, help explain these differences. However, there has been no direct attempt to develop a unified social psychological model of men and women's pain. By drawing on approaches to both gender and pain, a gender context model of pain is presented. It proposes that pain is partly influenced by the gender context in which it occurs, which operates at both individual and interpersonal levels. The model is used to structure an appraisal of the existing evidence around gender and pain, and explore whether the model helps explain why such variation occurs. It is argued that despite evidence for an association between gender and pain, there are empirical gaps that need to be addressed. Implications and directions for future investigations into sex, gender and pain are considered.

Exploring the relationship between male norm beliefs, pain-related beliefs and behaviours: An online questionnaire study

BACKGROUND

Gender beliefs help explain the variation found in pain among men and women. Gender norms and expectations are thought to affect how men and women report and express pain. However, less is known about how such beliefs are related to pain outside of laboratory settings. The aim of this study was therefore to consider the relationship between beliefs in male role norms, pain and pain behaviours in men and women.

METHODS

An online questionnaire study was conducted. A total of 468 adults (352 women), with or without pain, completed a series of self-report measures relating to beliefs about pain and male role norms, as well as pain and general health behaviours.

RESULTS

An experience of pain was associated with lower beliefs in traditional male norms. Endorsing stereotypical male norms was related to increased stigma associated with seeking professional help for pain in both men and women, but to a lesser extent associated with general health behaviours. There also seemed to be gender-based beliefs associated with the expression of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Together these findings suggest that beliefs in gender (male) norms are relevant to pain, and that there is utility in exploring the variation in pain beyond binary male-female categories.