Social network change after new-onset pain among middle-aged and older European adults.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines how onset of chronic pain affects characteristics of personal social networks among adults aged 51+ across Europe.

METHODS

We used population-based data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; 2011-2015; n = 12,647). Using a change score analysis approach, we tracked changes in personal social networks of respondents experiencing new-onset chronic pain (n = 3803) compared to pain-free counterparts (n = 8844) in 11 European countries over four years.

RESULTS

Overall, consistent with network activation theory, respondents with new-onset mild-to-moderate chronic pain reported increases in sizes and diversity of their personal social networks, compared to their pain-free counterparts. However, consistent with the "pain as threat to the social self" theory, respondents with new-onset moderate pain or mild-to-moderate pain reported a decrease over time in perceived satisfaction and closeness with networks, respectively. Estimates from interactions between new-onset pain severity and sex show that men with new-onset pain experienced greater decreases in network satisfaction (mild pain) and closeness (severe pain) than did women.

DISCUSSION

This study highlights the complex social consequences of chronic pain, which may vary based on pain severity, gender, and type of social outcome considered.