Abstract
BackgroundPain impacts upon psychological wellbeing. In pregnant and postpartum women psychological distress may negatively affect the mother-infant relationship and lead to adverse infant development. Yet, co-occurrence of pain with psychological distress in women of reproductive age has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to: 1) assess prevalence of psychological distress in reproductive aged women by pain severity; and 2) examine the self-rated health status of reproductive aged women with and without pain.MethodData for women aged 18–49 years were obtained from the 2011–12 Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey. Sample data were weighted to give population estimates. Recent pain severity, self-rated health and psychological distress were analysed for pregnant, breastfeeding and non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women.ResultsModerate-to-very severe pain was reported by 17.6% of pregnant (sample n = 165, weighted N = 191,856), 25.9% of breastfeeding (sample n = 210, weighted N = 234,601) and 23.9% of non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women (sample n = 4005, weighted N = 4,607,140). Psychological distress was associated with pain in non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women (p < 0.001). High-to-very high distress was seen in 26.4% (95% CI, 23.2–29.6) of NP/NBF, 8.1% (95% CI, 0–17.2) of breastfeeding and 7.3% (95% CI, 0–18.0) of pregnant women with moderate-to-very severe pain. Self-rated health status was associated with pain severity in pregnant (p = 0.001) and non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding (p < 0.001) women.ConclusionGiven the strong association between psychological distress and pain in non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women, and the relatively common occurrence of moderate-to-very severe pain in both pregnant and breastfeeding women, assessment of psychological distress levels in all women of reproductive age who report experiencing moderate-to-very severe levels of pain may be of benefit.
Highlights
IntroductionThis study aimed to: 1) assess prevalence of psychological distress in reproductive aged women by pain severity; and 2) examine the self-rated health status of reproductive aged women with and without pain
High-to-very high distress was seen in 26.4% of non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women (NP/NBF), 8.1% of breastfeeding and 7.3% of pregnant women with moderate-tovery severe pain
Given the strong association between psychological distress and pain in non-pregnant/nonbreastfeeding women, and the relatively common occurrence of moderate-to-very severe pain in both pregnant and breastfeeding women, assessment of psychological distress levels in all women of reproductive age who report experiencing moderate-to-very severe levels of pain may be of benefit
Summary
This study aimed to: 1) assess prevalence of psychological distress in reproductive aged women by pain severity; and 2) examine the self-rated health status of reproductive aged women with and without pain. In Australia, approximately one in five women of reproductive age have been found to have experienced moderate-to-very high severity pain during the most recent four-week period [5]. In this same study, it was found that 10% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age and 5% of pregnant women reported living with chronic or reoccurring pain [5]. High psychological distress can be indicative of underlying depression or anxiety, both of which can have substantial impacts upon the sufferer and their family [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
