Cornally Nicola, McCarthy Geraldine
Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Pain Manag Nurs. 2011 Dec;12(4):206-17. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2010.12.006. Epub 2011 Feb 26.
Psychologic variables such as attitudes and beliefs may account for patients choosing not to seek treatment for pain; however, there is a dearth of empirical research to support this contention. The aim of this study was to explore the help-seeking behavior, individual characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs of older adults with chronic pain in an Irish community setting. A descriptive correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 72 older adults with chronic pain were recruited through two primary care practices. The research instruments used were a demographic questionnaire, the Level of Expressed Need Questionnaire, which measured help-seeking behavior, the Pain Attitudes Questionnaire, and the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire. Results revealed that individual characteristics associated with help-seeking behavior were female gender, increasing age, higher education, living alone, and severe pain. High levels of stoicism were reported, indicating that participants were more likely to believe they had superior pain control and courage in the face of pain and were not willing to disclose their pain to others. These attitudes were significantly associated with lower levels of expressed need for treatment. Participants had moderate age-related beliefs about the origin of pain, but those who believed pain had an organic cause were more likely to seek help.
态度和信念等心理变量可能是患者选择不寻求疼痛治疗的原因；然而，缺乏实证研究来支持这一观点。本研究的目的是探讨爱尔兰社区环境中慢性疼痛老年人的求助行为、个体特征、态度和信念。采用了描述性相关设计。通过两种初级保健机构招募了72名患有慢性疼痛的老年人作为便利样本。使用的研究工具包括一份人口统计学问卷、测量求助行为的《表达需求水平问卷》、《疼痛态度问卷》和《疼痛信念问卷》。结果显示，与求助行为相关的个体特征包括女性、年龄增长、高等教育、独居和严重疼痛。报告显示坚忍程度较高，这表明参与者更有可能相信自己在面对疼痛时有更强的疼痛控制能力和勇气，并且不愿意向他人透露自己的疼痛。这些态度与较低的治疗需求表达水平显著相关。参与者对疼痛起源有适度的与年龄相关的信念，但那些认为疼痛有器质性原因的人更有可能寻求帮助。
