The link between emotional health and chronic pain is well-established. Regarding emotional health, family links or socialization plays an important role. Further, the role of family links may play a greater role in certain ethnic groups relative to others, something important to understand.
A new study published in the Journals of Gerontology investigated the link between family relationships and chronic pain outcomes among aging African Americans.
Moreover, it is known that chronic pain is more common among African Americans, often more severe, and seems to persist for longer. The study’s findings underscore the importance of family dynamics, particularly support and strain, in influencing the development and persistence of chronic pain in the population group.
Pain Disparities and Racial Bias
African Americans experience more severe chronic pain and related disabilities than their White counterparts. These disparities worsen with age, leading to higher pain-related limitations and mortality among older.
Despite the well-documented disparities, African Americans, especially older adults, are underrepresented in pain research. This gap limits the understanding of their specific pain experiences and the development of effective interventions tailored to their needs.
Supportive Family Relationships and Pain Outcomes
The research indicates that family support, characterized by warmth, reliability, and dependability, plays a crucial protective role in pain outcomes.
In the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, greater family support was linked to a 33% decrease in the odds of developing new chronic pain and a 47% decrease in the persistence of chronic pain over time.
Similarly, the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) found that family support was associated with a decreased risk of chronic pain persistence.
These findings suggest that supportive family environments can help mitigate the development and continuation of chronic pain among aging African Americans.
The presence of family members who understand, assist, and provide emotional support appears to buffer against the stress that contributes to pain exacerbation. This protective effect exceeds previously established pain-protective benefits, such as vigorous physical activity and cultural engagement.
Strained Family Relationships and Pain Outcomes
Conversely, strained family relationships significantly increase the risk of chronic pain development. The HRS data revealed that greater strain in parent-child relationships was linked to a 43% higher likelihood of developing chronic pain over a decade. Similarly, averaged relationship strain across all family relationships was associated with a 47% increased risk of new pain.
These findings highlight that the stress from conflictual and demanding family interactions can exacerbate psychophysiological stress responses, leading to greater pain incidence.
What Clinicians Can Learn from the Study?
The study’s results underscore the need for pain management interventions that incorporate family dynamics. Family-based support systems are more common among African Americans, who often involve extended family members in caregiving and disease management.
This collectivistic approach contrasts with the more individualistic models typically used in pain interventions.
For instance, pain management programs could include family members in educational sessions, encourage open communication about pain, and provide resources to help family members support each other effectively.
Cultural Considerations and Chronic Pain Management
Cultural preferences for family involvement and the tendency to hide pain for survival within the African American community should be considered in designing these interventions. Further, such dynamics might also be present in other ethnic groups in the US, like Asian Americans.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the significant role of family relationships in modulating chronic pain outcomes among aging African Americans. By highlighting the protective effects of supportive family environments and the detrimental impacts of strained relationships, the findings point to the necessity of incorporating family dynamics into pain management interventions.
Source:
Woods, S. B., Roberson, P. N. E., Booker, Q., Wood, B. L., & Booker, S. Q. (2024). Longitudinal Associations of Family Relationship Quality With Chronic Pain Incidence and Persistence Among Aging African Americans. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 79(7), gbae064. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbae064
