(515) A cross-sectional survey of pain-related experiences and knowledge in emerging adults

Abstract

Chronic pain is a common phenomenon in the U.S., known to occur across the lifespan (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Much remains to be learned, however, about the distribution of pain conditions in emerging adults or the knowledge that they have about pain. Greater knowledge about pain and its management can be effective for improving pain outcomes, even among at-risk individuals (Thorn et al., 2011). To improve this knowledge, we surveyed 200 emerging adults at a large public university in the geographic south about their chronic pain conditions (if present) and knowledge about pain and its management. Participants completed surveys online in exchange for course credit. Measures included a new computer-administered pain interview and two new pain measures, the Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (PKQ) and the Pain Skills Questionnaire (PSQ). The PKQ is a 23-item measure that investigates how much a person knows about the causes and treatments for chronic pain conditions, and the PSQ is a 10-item measure that assesses how often a person uses a variety of skills to manage pain when they experience it. Demographic results indicate that the sample approximated the general student population. The average participant was a white underclasswoman. A range of pain conditions were reported. Analyses indicate that participants demonstrate basic pain knowledge, but are often lacking in important facts associated with better pain outcomes. This knowledge also varies based on participant characteristics, such as the presence or absence of a pain condition. This study provides valuable information about the distribution of chronic pain conditions in a group of emerging adults and their knowledge about pain and pain management. It provides evidence for the lack of core pain information existing in the general student population, even among individuals with chronic pain conditions, and supports the need for greater pain education. Chronic pain is a common phenomenon in the U.S., known to occur across the lifespan (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Much remains to be learned, however, about the distribution of pain conditions in emerging adults or the knowledge that they have about pain. Greater knowledge about pain and its management can be effective for improving pain outcomes, even among at-risk individuals (Thorn et al., 2011). To improve this knowledge, we surveyed 200 emerging adults at a large public university in the geographic south about their chronic pain conditions (if present) and knowledge about pain and its management. Participants completed surveys online in exchange for course credit. Measures included a new computer-administered pain interview and two new pain measures, the Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (PKQ) and the Pain Skills Questionnaire (PSQ). The PKQ is a 23-item measure that investigates how much a person knows about the causes and treatments for chronic pain conditions, and the PSQ is a 10-item measure that assesses how often a person uses a variety of skills to manage pain when they experience it. Demographic results indicate that the sample approximated the general student population. The average participant was a white underclasswoman. A range of pain conditions were reported. Analyses indicate that participants demonstrate basic pain knowledge, but are often lacking in important facts associated with better pain outcomes. This knowledge also varies based on participant characteristics, such as the presence or absence of a pain condition. This study provides valuable information about the distribution of chronic pain conditions in a group of emerging adults and their knowledge about pain and pain management. It provides evidence for the lack of core pain information existing in the general student population, even among individuals with chronic pain conditions, and supports the need for greater pain education.