Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Biopsychosocialspiritual Impact of Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, and Physical Disabilities in Adolescence

  • Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Headache and Pain (D Buse, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of chronic pain, chronic illness, and physical disability in adolescence are diverse, often influencing every facet of an adolescent’s life. The biopsychosocialspiritual model provides a framework within which to conceptualize the experience of the adolescent with chronic pain and can be very helpful in guiding clinical care including creating comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment plans. Literature on chronic pain often focuses on pediatric or adult populations and does not lend information on how to provide evidence-based treatment for the adolescent in chronic pain. The study of chronic pain in adolescence has been largely limited by small samples, cross-sectional and observational designs, and studies that intertwine findings with pediatric and adult populations. Herein, we review the literature on the biopsychosocialspiritual experience of the adolescent with chronic pain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Miller BD. Promoting healthy function and development in chronically ill children: a primary care approach. In: Marinelli RP, Dell Orto AE, eds. The psychological & social impact of disability. 4th ed. New York, NY; 1995:67–85.

  2. World Health Organization. Adolescent health. http://www.who.int/topics/adolescent_health/en/Published 2015. Accessed April 26, 2015. This reference reports statistics worldwide concerning the psychological and physical health of adolescents.

  3. IASP. Part III: pain terms, a current list with definitions and notes on usage. In: Merskey H, Bogduk N, editors. Classification of chronic pain, second edition, IASP Task Force on Taxonomy. Seattle, WA: ISAP Press; 1994. p. 209–14.

    Google Scholar 

  4. American Chronic Pain Association. ACPA resource guide to chronic pain medication and treatment: 2015 edition. Available at http://www.theacpa.org/uploads/documents/ACPA_Resource_Guide_2015_Final%20edited%20%283%29.pdf. Last accessed Aug 19, 2015.

  5. Painaction. Painaction Newsletter, Issue 132. http://www.painaction.com Published 2012. Accessed Feb 7, 2012.

  6. Eccleston C, Jordan AL, Crombez G. The impact of chronic pain on adolescents: a review of previously used measures. J Pediatr Psychol. 2006;31(7):684–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Wicksell RK, Dahl J, Magnusson B, Olsson GL. Using acceptance and commitment therapy in the rehabilitation of an adolescent female with chronic pain: a case example. Cogn Behav Pract. 2005;12(4):415–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. American Pain Foundation. Special considerations: pain in specific populations. http://www.painfoundation.org/learn/publications/files/SpecificPopulations.pdf Published 2008. Accessed May 1, 2012.

  9. McLean CK, Syed M. The field of identity of development needs an identity: an introduction to the handbook or identity development. In: McLean KC, Syed M, editors. The Oxford handbook of identity development. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2015. p. 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Palermo TM. Impact of recurrent and chronic pain on child and family daily functioning: a critical review of the literature. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2000;21:58–69.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Swain MS, Henschke N, Kamper SJ, Gobina I, Ottova-Jordan V, Maher CG. An international survey of pain in adolescents. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:447.

  12. Perquin CW, Hazebroek-Kampschreur AA, Hunfeld JA, et al. Pain in children and adolescents: a common experience. Pain. 2000;87:51–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gatchel RJ, Bo Peng Y, Peters ML, Fuchs PN, Turk DC. The biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain: scientific advances and future directions. Psychol Bull. 2007;133(4):581–624.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Michaud PA, Surs JC, Viner R. The adolescent with a chronic condition: epidemiology, development issues and health care provision. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Simons LE, Claar RL, Logan DL. Chronic pain in adolescence: parental responses, adolescent coping, and their impact on adolescents’ pain behaviors. J Pediatr Psychol. 2008;33(8):894–904.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Buse DC, Andrasik F, Sollars CM. Headaches. In: Andrasik F, Goodie JL, Peterson AL, editors. Biopsychosocial assessment in clinical health psychology: a handbook. New York: NY Guilford Press; 2015. p. 264–98.

    Google Scholar 

  17. May A. Structural brain imaging: a window into chronic pain. Neuroscientist. 2011;17(2):209–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Steinberg L. Cognitive and affective development in adolescence. Trends Cogn Sci. 2005;9(2):69–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Churchwell JC, Yurgelun-Todd DA. Age-related changes in insula cortical thickness and impulsivity: significant for emotional development and decision-making. Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2013;6:80–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. King S, Chambers CT, Huguet A, MacNevin RC, McGrath PJ, Parker L, et al. The epidemiology of chronic pain in children and adolescents revisited: a systemic review. Pain. 2011;152:2729–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. ScienceDaily. Chronic pain in children and adolescents becoming more common. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209105129.htm Published 2011. Accessed May 1, 2012.

  22. Esteve R, Ramirez-Mastre C, Lopez-Martinez A. Adjustment to chronic pain: the role of pain acceptance, coping strategies, and pain-related cognitions. Ann Behav Med. 2007;33(2):179–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Boerner KE, Birnie KA, Caes L, Schinkel M, Chambers CT. Sex differences in experimental pain among healthy children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain. 2014;155:983–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Williams C. Needs of teenagers with chronic disability. Br Med J. 1999;318(7188):945.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Schechter NL, Berde CB, Yaster M. Pain in infants, children and adolescents. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gruft JH. From pain to wellness: getting help and finding freedom from chronic pain. Chicago, IL: Cabin Bay; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Dewald-Kaufmann JF, Oort FJ, Meijer AM. The effects of sleep extension and sleep hygiene advice on sleep and depressive symptoms in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2013;55(3):273–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Olkin R. What psychotherapists should know about disability. New York, NY: Guilford; 2001.

  29. Santrock JW. Child development. 11th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Stalnacke B. Life satisfaction in patients with chronic pain—relation to pain intensity, disability, and psychological factors. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2011;7:683–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Arain M, Hague M, Johal L, Mathur P, Nel W, Rais A, et al. Maturation of the adolescent brain. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2013;9:449–61. This reference outlines how maturation of the brain significantly impacts an adolescents daily functioning.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Halstead ME, Walter KD, The Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Sport-related concussion in children and adolescents: from the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report. Pediatrics. 2010;126:597–615.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lyon-Bramhall A, Wargolet L, Lofland K, Rodolff A. Treating substance abuse among chronic pain patients: a more compassionate approach. J Pain. 2011;12(4):80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. British Pain Society. Cancer pain management. London, England: Author; 2010.

  35. Caudill M. Managing pain before it manages you, revised ed. New York, NY: Guilford; 2001.

  36. Thomas R, editor. Pain management task force: providing a standardized DoD and VHA vision and approach to pain management to optimize the care for warriors and their families. Washington, DC: Office of the Army Surgeon General; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Dahl JC, Lundgren T. Living beyond your pain: using acceptance and commitment therapy to ease chronic pain. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger; 2006.

  38. Libby CJ, Glenwick DS. Stress and coping in children and adolescents with fibromyalgia. Diss Abstr Int. 2008;68(10-B):6970.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Celedon X, Amari A, Ward CM, Prestwich S, Slifer KJ. Children and adolescents with chronic pain and functional disability: use of a behavioral rehabilitation approach. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep. 2014;2:86–92. This study reviews the use of a behavioral approach for pain specifically focused on children and adolescent populations.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Gold JI. (2005) Cross-sectional analysis of children and adolescents with chronic pain: interrelationships between coping, fatigue, and health-related quality of life [abstract]. Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, 5.

  41. Hirsh AT, George SZ, Bialosky JE, Robinson ME. Fear of pain, pain catastrophizing, and acute pain perception: relative prediction and timing of assessment. J Pain. 2008;9(9):806–12.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Parish KA. A biopsychological approach to chronic low back pain and disability in private chiropractic setting: a case study. J Can Chiropractic Assoc. 2002;46(2):93–100.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Crombez G, Vlaeyen JWS, Heuts PHTG, Lysens R. Pain-related fear is more disabling than pain itself: evidence on the role of pain-related fear in chronic back pain disability. Pain. 1999;80(1–2):329–39.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Vlaeyen JW, Crombez G. Fear of movement/(re)injury, avoidance and pain disability in chronic low back pain patients. Man Ther. 1999;4(4):187–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Walters AS, Williamson GM. The role of activity restriction in the association between pain and depression: a study of pediatric clients with chronic pain. Child Health Care. 1999;28(1):33–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Dersh J, Polatin PB, Gatchel RJ. Chronic pain and psychopathology: research findings and theoretical considerations. Psychosom Med. 2002;64(5):773–86.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Arnow BA, Hunkeler EM, Blasey CM, Lee J, Constantino MJ, Fireman B, et al. Comorbid depression, chronic pain, and disability in primary care. Psychosom Med. 2006;68(2):262–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Sullivan MJ, Reesor K, Mikail S, Fisher R. The treatment of depression in chronic low back pain: review and recommendations. Pain. 1992;52:249.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Buse DC, Manack A, Serrano D, Turkel C, Lipton RB. Sociodemographic and comorbidity profiles of chronic migraine and episodic migraine sufferers. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2010;81:428–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Buse DC, Silberstein SD, Manack AN, Papapetropoulos S, Lipton RB. Psychiatric comorbidities of episodic and chronic migraine. J Neurol. 2013;260(8):960–1969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Keefe FJ, Dunsmore J, Burnett R. Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral approaches to chronic pain: recent advances and future directions. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992;60(4):528–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Gatchel RJ. Clinical essentials of pain management. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2005.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  53. Lee EJ, Chan F, Chronister J, Yui-Chung Chan J, Romero M. Models, research, and treatment of coexisting depression for people with chronic illness and disability. In: Chan F, Da Silva CE, Chronister JA, editors. Understanding psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness and disability: a handbook for evidence-based practitioners in rehabilitation. New York, NY: Springer; 2009. p. 75–107.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Martin AL, McGrath PA, Brown SC, Katz J. Anxiety sensitivity, fear of pain and pain-related disability in children and adolescents with chronic pain. Pain Res Manag. 2007;12(4):267–72.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Tsui P, Stein T, Sonty N. The relationship among PTSD symptoms, chronic pain acceptance, and disability [abstract]. J Pain. 2010;11(4):S58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Geisser ME, Roth RS, Bachman JE, Eckert TA. The relationship between symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and pain, affective disturbance and disability among patients with accident and non-accident related pain. Pain. 1996;66(2–3):207–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Grant DM, Beck JG, Marques L, Palyo SA, Clapp JF. The structure of distress following trauma: posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. J Abnorm Psychol. 2008;117(3):662–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Kozlowska K, Rose D, Khan R, Kram S, Lane L, Collins J. A conceptual model and practice framework for managing chronic pain in children and adolescents. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2008;16(2):136–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Ciarrochi JV, Hayes L, Bailey A. (2008) A CBT practitioner’s guide to ACT: how to bridge the gap between cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

  60. De Blecourt ACE, Schiphorst Preuper HR, Van Der Schans CP, Groothoff JW, Reneman MF. Preliminary evaluation of a multidisciplinary pain management program for children and adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Disabil Rehabil. 2008;30(1):13–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Fleischman KM, Hains AA, Davies WH. (2009) Practitioner perception of peer relationships in adolescents with chronic pain [abstract]. Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, :3.

  62. Chronister J. Social support and rehabilitation: theory, research, and measurement. In: Chan F, Da Silva Cardoso E, Chronister JA, editors. Understanding psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness and disability: a handbook for evidence-based practitioners in rehabilitation. New York: NY: Springer; 2009. p. 149–83.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Taylor SE. Health psychology. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Hayes SC, Smith S. (2005) Get out of your mind and into your life: the new acceptance and commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

  65. Smedema SM, Bakken-Gillen SK, Dalton J. Psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and disability: models and measurement. In: Chan F, Da Silva CE, Chronister JA, editors. Understanding psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness and disability: a handbook for evidence-based practitioners in rehabilitation. New York, NY: Springer; 2009. p. 51–74.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Technical Assistance & Training System Communities of Practice. Families and their children with disabilities—grieving or dealing with acceptance. http://education.ucf.edu/tats/docs/eupdates/FamilyInvolvement-8.pdf. Published 2009. Accessed May 1, 2012.

  67. Rosenthal DA, Kosciulek J, Lee GK, Frain M, Ditchman N. Family adaptation to chronic illness and disability. In: Chan F, Da Silva CE, Chronister JA, editors. Understanding psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness and disability: a handbook for evidence-based practitioners in rehabilitation. New York, NY: Springer; 2009. p. 185–203.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Shewchuk R, Elliot TR. Family caregiving in chronic disease and disability. In: Frank RG, Elliot T, editors. Handbook of rehabilitation psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2000. p. 553–63.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  69. Simons LE, Sieberg CB, Kaczynski KJ. Measuring parent beliefs about child acceptance of pain: a preliminary validation of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire. Parent Rep Pain. 2011;152(10):2294–300.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Rolland JS. (2003) Mastering family challenges in serious illness and disability. In: Walsh, F, ed. Normal family processes: growing diversity and complexity. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Guilford 460–489.

  71. Mannheim JK, Zieve D. Adolescent development. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002003.htm Published 2009. Accessed May 1, 2012.

  72. Sperry L. Treatment of chronic medical conditions: cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies and integrative treatment protocols. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2009.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  73. Martin AL, McGrath PA, Brown SC, Katz J. Anxiety sensitivity, fear of pain and pain-related disability in children and adolescents with chronic pain. Pain Res Manag. 2007;12(4):267–72.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Dobe M, Damschen U, Reiffer-Wiesel B, Sauer C, Zernikow B. Three-week multimodal inpatient treatment of children with chronic pain. First results of the long-term follow-up. Schmerz. 2006;20:51–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Eccleston C, Connell H, Carmichael N. Residential treatment settings for adolescent chronic pain management: rationale, development and evidence. In: Finley GA, McGrath PJ, Chambers CT, editors. Bringing pain relief to children: treatment approaches. New Jersey: Humana Press; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Eccleston C, Malleson PN, Clinch J, Connell H, Sourbut C. Chronic pain in adolescents: evaluation of a programme of interdisciplinary cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT). Arch Dis Child. 2003;88:881–5.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Powers SW, Kashikar-Zuck SM, Allen JR, LeCates SL, Slater SK, Zafar M, et al. Cognitive behavioral therapy plus amitriptyline for chronic migraine in children and adolescents: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013;310(24):2622–30. This study demonstrated that combined treatment with CBT plus amitriptyline resulted in greater reductions in headache days and migraine-related disability compared with amitriptyline plus a control behavioral condition.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Sherry DD, Wallace CA, Kelley C, Kidder M, Sapp L. Short- and long-term outcomes of children with complex regional pain syndrome type I treated with exercise therapy. Clin J Pain. 1999;15:218–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Lee BH, Scharff L, Sethna NF, et al. Physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral treatment for complex regional pain syndromes. J Pediatr. 2002;141:135–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Kabat-Zinn K. Full catastrophe living: using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness (revised edition). New York, NY: Bantam Books; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  81. McCracken LM, Vowles KE. Acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness for chronic pain: model, process, and progress. Am Psychol. 2014;69(2):178–87. This manuscript provides a recent overview of ACT, CBT, and Mindfulness in the treatment of chronic pain.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Dahl J, Wilson KG, Luciano C, Hayes SC. Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain. Reno, NV: Context Press; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Eccleston C, Clinch J. Adolescent chronic pain and disability: a review of the current evidence in assessment and treatment. Paediatr Child Health. 2007;12(2):117–20.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Ernst MM, O’Brien HL, Powers SW. Cognitive-behavioral therapy: how medical providers can increase patient and family openness and access to evidence-based multimodal therapy for pediatric migraine. Headache. 2015. doi:10.1111/head.12605. This manuscript provides a range of excellent suggestions to facilitate successful referrals for behavioral management of pediatric migraine. The suggestions are also applicable for other facilitating successful referrals and improving adherence in other chronic pain and health conditions.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

Melissa E. A. Geraghty declares no potential conflicts of interest.

Dawn C. Buse is a section editor for Current Pain and Headache Reports.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rago & Associates, 525 South Washington Street, Naperville, IL, 60540, USA

    Melissa E. A. Geraghty

  2. Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA

    Dawn C. Buse

  3. Montefiore Medical Center, 1250 Waters Place, 8th Floor, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Dawn C. Buse

  4. Clinical Health Psychology Doctoral Program, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA

    Dawn C. Buse

Authors
  1. Melissa E. A. Geraghty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dawn C. Buse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melissa E. A. Geraghty.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Headache and Pain

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Geraghty, M.E.A., Buse, D.C. The Biopsychosocialspiritual Impact of Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, and Physical Disabilities in Adolescence. Curr Pain Headache Rep 19, 51 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0526-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0526-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation