Cultural Considerations and Tools for Treating Chronic Pain Among Hispanics/Latinos

Abstract

Chronic pain affects approximately one-third of the US population and is associated with high medical costs and functional disability and is often comorbid with mental disorders. Hispanics/Latinos experience chronic pain at rates similar to other racial and ethnic groups but tend to disclose pain and seek treatment less due to cultural beliefs about pain and medicine. As a result, Hispanics/Latinos are more prone to overactivity and being undertreated, which perpetuates chronic pain and disability. Traditional beliefs about pain are more common among Hispanics/Latinos who are less acculturated, such as those who speak Spanish as their primary language. This chapter begins by outlining these cultural factors and beliefs related to pain in Hispanics/Latinos and their implications for tailoring empirically supported treatments for chronic pain. A set of treatment tools, including handouts and worksheets, are provided in Spanish with relevant cultural modifications based on cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Special emphasis is placed on values clarification, active acceptance vs. passive resignation, medical treatment utilization, pacing, perspective taking, and seeking social support while simultaneously accommodating Hispanic/Latino cultural considerations. A session timeline and treatment plan are provided to guide the clinician through each session’s content and specify timing of treatment tools.