G T Jones1, A J Silman, G J Macfarlane. 1. Arthritis Research Campaign Epidemiology Unit, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. gareth.jones@man.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Child pain is associated with adverse psychosocial factors. Some studies have shown an association between children's and parental pain. Children may "learn" pain behaviour from their parents. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether an association exists between parent and child pain, and, if so, whether this relationship persists after adjusting for psychosocial difficulties in the child. METHODS: 1326 schoolchildren took part in a questionnaire based, cross sectional survey. Parents of study participants were sent a postal questionnaire. Occurrence of body pain was ascertained using blank body manikins and, in children, psychosocial factors were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Three child-parent pain relationships were examined: any child pain with any parental pain or with parental widespread pain; and child low back pain with parental low back pain. RESULTS: The risk of child pain associated with parental reporting of pain was minor, and non-significant. Even when both parents reported widespread pain, the relative risk of pain in the child, after adjusting for age and psychosocial difficulties, was 1.2 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Parental pain is not a risk for child pain. Pain behaviour is not learned. Rather, child pain is probably attributable to individual factors and the social environment.
BACKGROUND:Childpain is associated with adverse psychosocial factors. Some studies have shown an association between children's and parental pain. Children may "learn" pain behaviour from their parents. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether an association exists between parent and childpain, and, if so, whether this relationship persists after adjusting for psychosocial difficulties in the child. METHODS: 1326 schoolchildren took part in a questionnaire based, cross sectional survey. Parents of study participants were sent a postal questionnaire. Occurrence of body pain was ascertained using blank body manikins and, in children, psychosocial factors were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Three child-parent pain relationships were examined: any childpain with any parental pain or with parental widespread pain; and childlow back pain with parental low back pain. RESULTS: The risk of childpain associated with parental reporting of pain was minor, and non-significant. Even when both parents reported widespread pain, the relative risk of pain in the child, after adjusting for age and psychosocial difficulties, was 1.2 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.2). CONCLUSIONS:Parental pain is not a risk for childpain. Pain behaviour is not learned. Rather, childpain is probably attributable to individual factors and the social environment.
Authors: Kristen S Higgins; Kathryn A Birnie; Christine T Chambers; Anna C Wilson; Line Caes; Alexander J Clark; Mary Lynch; Jennifer Stinson; Marsha Campbell-Yeo Journal: Pain Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 7.926