Factors Influencing Coping Strategies of Elders According to Types of Pain Belief

Kim, Geun Myun; Chang, Sung Ok; Lee, Yong Mi

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify factors (pain stress, perceived stress, pain disability, fatigue, depression) strategies used by elders to cope with pain based on their type of pain belief. METHOD: Data were collected from 314 elders in community settings in Seoul from September to December of 2007. Cluster analysis, t-test, and ANOVA were used to analyze data. Result: The types of pain belief were classified as the following groups: Self-blame, Enduring & Mysterious, and Short-term & Understandable. Perceived stress (t=2.36, p=.02), social support (t=2.24, p=.03), extent of pain relief (t=2.39, p=.02), and duration of pain relief (t=2.09, p=.04) were important factors for active and passive coping in the Self-blame group. Pain stress (t=2.39, p=.01) and depression (t=-3.99, p=.00) were significantly related to the active coping in the Enduring & Mysterious group. Perceived stress (t=2.55, p=.01) was an important factor in the passive coping in the Short-term & Understandable group.
CONCLUSION
Considering different types of pain belief in elders and factors that are significantly related to different coping strategies, future nursing interventions should be population specific to encourage active coping strategies and to decrease passive coping strategies.