153) Prevalence of Psychological Abuse and Relationship Dysfunction in a Chronic Pain Treatment Sample

Abstract

Research suggests an association between prior traumatic events and chronic pain; however, research has not focused on the pervasiveness of relationship dysfunction or psychological abuse in individuals with chronic pain. To begin to document the potential prevalence, data will be collected from 120 adults presenting for care at an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation center. Participants volunteer to complete self-report measures about relationships, trauma (i.e., Measure of Psychologically Abusive Behaviors, Composite Abuse Scale Revised, and Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5) and physical symptoms. Data collection is ongoing. Preliminary data analyses from 16 participants shows that 25% endorsed a current or prior psychologically abuse relationship, and 50% reported at least one type of abuse experience (i.e., physical, emotional, or sexual) in the past 12 months. The majority of the participants (69%) endorsed at least one “very stressful” relationship in their lifetime. On average, participants rated their current relationship stress at a 3.1 out of 10 (0\u202f=\u202fno stress, 10 =extremely stressful). Furthermore, 19 % of the sample endorsed clinically significant PTSD symptoms related to an abusive relationship. Previous research completed with a clinical sample of patients with chronic pain has demonstrated a self-reported PTSD prevalence rate of 20.4%, related to all sources of trauma. Further exploration of relationship dysfunction as a common source of trauma in this population, and as a factor correlated to chronic pain appears warranted. Additionally, the high prevalence of individuals endorsing abusive experiences and stressful relationships suggests value in exploring interpersonal factors in patients with chronic pain, even for those who do not self-report PTSD related symptomology. Having a more thorough understanding of the prevalence, and clinical characteristics of this population may inform assessment, and treatment. This study is supported through a grant from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (Siqveland, Front Psychiatry, 2017).