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The Influence of Loneliness on Pain Outcomes for Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Authors :
Paula A. Forgeron
Jennifer Stinson
Kathryn Birnie
G Allen Finley
Abbie Jordan
Pamela Qualter
Ligyana Candido
Michelle Lamont
Cassidy Bradley
Delane Linkiewich
Trinity Lowthian
Samuel McNally
Natasha Trehan
Bruce Dick
Source :
Canadian Journal of Pain, Vol 8, Iss 1 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Taylor & Francis Group, 2024.

Abstract

Background Loneliness, the perception that one’s social relationships do not meet the desire for social connection, is a risk factor for poor mental and physical health. Adolescents with chronic pain experience higher rates of peer loneliness which persists over time. Previous studies used a single loneliness measure, limiting our understanding of the nature of their loneliness. This study describes the types of peer loneliness (intimate, relational, and collective) experienced by these adolescents and the impact that peer loneliness has on pain-related outcomes.Methods A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 128 Canadian adolescents aged 12–18 years who experienced pain for at least 3 months. Validated measures captured demographics, pain-related characteristics, types of peer-related loneliness, measures of social well-being, and mental and physical health outcomes.Results Friedman’s tests of z-scores indicate that participants equally experienced dyadic, relational, and collective peer loneliness. MANCOVA revealed that those who identify as Black were lonelier after controlling for socioeconomic status. Multiple regression showed that loneliness was a robust predicter of worse scores on social well-being and mental health outcomes with males and females equally impacted by loneliness. Despite moderate correlations between loneliness and pain interference and pain intensity, loneliness did not predict school absences, suggesting that loneliness’ influence on physical pain outcomes may be temporally earlier (e.g. contribute to pain chronification).Conclusions Peer loneliness among adolescents with chronic pain negatively impacts their social well-being and mental health outcomes. Interventions addressing loneliness to target all three types of peer loneliness may be key to improving pain-related outcomes.

Details

Language :
English, French
ISSN :
24740527
Volume :
8
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Canadian Journal of Pain
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1e067dc5fc44ab09777ba53d1306358
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2024.2404615