Abstract
Adolescents who experience poor mental health may develop chronic pain. Similarly, those with chronic pain may develop mental health symptoms. Little is known concerning how these co-occurring symptoms are associated with adolescent functioning. Our online cross-sectional quantitative study compared the specific nature of challenges to psychosocial functioning, across 4 groups: 1) adolescents with co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms; 2) adolescents who only experience chronic pain symptoms; 3) adolescents who only experience mental health symptoms, and 4) adolescents who do not report either symptom. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing pain experiences, mental health symptoms and psychosocial functioning. After controlling for pain intensity, findings revealed significant differences, in physical, social, and family functioning across all groups. Significantly worse physical functioning was reported by adolescents with co-occurring pain and mental health symptoms and those with pain-only symptoms compared with adolescents with mental health-only symptoms and those without symptoms. Social functioning was significantly worse for adolescents who experienced co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms compared with adolescents who experienced pain-only symptoms, and those with no symptoms. Significantly worse family functioning was reported by adolescents with mental health-only symptoms compared with adolescents reporting pain-only symptoms and no symptoms. Results suggest the combined impact of pain and mental health symptoms mainly influences adolescent social functioning. Future research is needed to develop standardised assessment and treatment plans to facilitate a thorough understanding of symptoms presented by adolescents who experience co-occurring pain and mental health symptoms.
This study identifies that the combined impact of pain and mental health symptoms influences adolescent social functioning when compared to adolescents who experience pain-only or those without symptoms. Research is needed to develop standardised assessment and treatment plans to fully understand the symptoms presented by adolescents with co-occurring symptoms.
This study identifies that the combined impact of pain and mental health symptoms influences adolescent social functioning when compared to adolescents who experience pain-only or those without symptoms. Research is needed to develop standardised assessment and treatment plans to fully understand the symptoms presented by adolescents with co-occurring symptoms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 629 |
| Journal | BMC Psychology |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 6 Nov 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Dec 2024 |
Data Availability Statement
Data analysed during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files]. The raw datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to [consent to share was not obtained from individuals for ethical approval].Funding
This work was undertaken by the named authors on the manuscript and was funded by the Pain Relief Foundation and the Sir Halley Stewart Trust. The views expressed within this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation or the Trust. The funders did not contribute to the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data or writing of the manuscript. Dr Maria Loades (Development and Skills Enhancement Award, 302367) is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for this research project. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the UK Department of Health and Social Care. There are no other conflicts of interest reported by the authors.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| National Institute for Health and Care Research |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Co-occurring
- Functioning
- Mental health
- Pain
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology
