Pain, social relationships, and school

Abstract

Social consequences of chronic pain for youth have only been a focus of research in the past decade. Research suggests that peer relationships, including close friendships, of children and adolescents with chronic pain may be negatively affected by pain. It has also been suggested that social reactions from others can negatively affect the child or adolescent’s pain experience. School functioning (i.e., academic performance and social engagement at school) may also be impaired as a result of chronic pain. Clinicians should understand the many challenges experienced by youth with chronic pain and should attend to the social consequences of pain when working with youth and their families. Research investigating interventions to manage the effects of chronic pain on school and social functioning is needed. However, there are some strategies that may be helpful in mitigating the negative consequences to social and school functioning associated with chronic pain.