The Journal of Pain | 2019
190) Perceived Control over Chronic Pain in African American Adults Living in Urban Detroit
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe experiences of urban cumulative trauma exposure and the relationship to chronic pain in African American adults. The study investigated whether lack of control over traumatic experiences while living in an urban area lead to a decreased perceived control over pain. Qualitative methodology was chosen due to limited literature available linking those with a history of cumulative trauma to perceived control over adulthood chronic pain. Descriptive, qualitative design utilizing open-ended interviewing was used to seek a more in depth understanding of the relationship between cumulative trauma in the urban environment and perceived control over pain in adults with chronic pain. Inclusion criteria: (1) self-identified African American ethnicity; (2) experiencing chronic pain (3) adults age 19 or older; (4) resided in an urban setting as youth; (5) experienced cumulative urban trauma. Saturation was reached after in-home interviews with 12 participants.\xa0Participants did not perceive trauma despite descriptions of neighborhood crime, neglect, racial segregation, and feelings of fear and decreased control over the neighborhood, suggesting neighborhood disorder to be more applicable to this population than cumulative trauma. Despite reporting pain scores of 6 to 10 on a 0-10 scale, participants believed their pain was controllable and well as controlled. Pain interfered significantly with all activities, with general activity, walking, and relations with others being the most affected. Associations were found between the stress of neighborhood disorder, perceived control over pain and life in general. The relationship between neighborhood disorder and perceived control over pain may aid in addressing existing pain disparity in African Americans residing in impoverished urban neighborhoods.