By There are things that could affect chronic illness and one of it is family strain. Family strain may worsen chronic pain and other symptoms read thru this article to find out how it may affect you.
Families that experienced having someone live with chronic pain know all too well how it can change the family dynamic. Chronic pain can lead to a variety of issues that can impact the family, including depression, disability, and stress. The strain and stress that is brought on from having someone in the home with chronic pain can be challenging, and it’s also something that researchers have been studying.
Researchers set out to learn more about the impact that family strain may have on someone with chronic pain. They wanted to see if there was a connection between non-spouse family strain and the increase in depression for someone with chronic pain. In other words, does having non-spouse family strain make the situation worse for the person with chronic pain?
June 2019 issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
To answer that question, researchers surveyed 933 people through telephone interviews, gathering information about self-reported measures. The study found that those who have chronic pain who experience more non-spouse family strain are more likely to experience depression, as well as higher levels of chronic pain.
How much the person with chronic pain focuses their attention on the pain also plays a role. Those who focus their attention a lot on the chronic pain are more likely to experience depression and higher levels of pain. The researchers report that higher levels of non-spouse family strain may be related to the family dynamic changing. They conclude that a negative family environment may lead to the development of depression, which is associated with the inability to cope with the chronic pain.
Those who have chronic pain may want to consider the level of non-spouse family strain that is present. If there is a lot of non-spouse family strain, there is a good chance that it will be detrimental for the person who has chronic pain, thus making their situation worse. If there is non-spouse family strain, it’s a good idea to find a constructive way to address it.
Such as having
- family members attend support groups
- counseling
- by finding other living arrangements if it is a possibility.
Those living with chronic pain already have that challenge to contend with. Adding into the mix strain that is being brought on by non-spouse family members is likely to lead to the condition worsening and the person becoming depressed. This is important information for those with chronic pain, as well as those who help care for them, to consider.
Sources:
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Family Strain, Depression, and Somatic Amplification in Adults with Chronic Pain. June 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31236873
