Psychological Factors Influencing Pain Intensity Perception:  A Qualitative Study on Canadian Patient Insights

Yaliu  Yang; Mehdi  Rostami; Nadereh  Saadati; Sefa  Bulut; Baidi  Bukhori; Jiantang  Yang; Maura  McDonnell; Nebahat  Bulut; Zohreh  Zadhasn

doi:10.18502/jimc.v8i4.19535

Yaliu Yang Marriage and Family Therapy Department, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, United States Department of Psychology and Counselling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Mehdi Rostami Department of Psychology and Counselling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Nadereh Saadati Department of Psychology and Counselling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Sefa Bulut Department of Counselling Psychology & Head of the Counselling Center, Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul, Turkey
Baidi Bukhori Faculty of Psychology and Health, Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia
Jiantang Yang Coventry University, London–University House, UK
Maura McDonnell Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Nebahat Bulut Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Medicine, Beykent University, Turkey
Zohreh Zadhasn Department of Psychology and Counselling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v8i4.19535

Keywords: Chronic pain, Pain management, Pain perception, Quality of life

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is a pervasive condition that significantly impacts the quality of life and involves complex interactions between physical sensations and psychological factors. This study aimed to explore the psychological factors influencing pain intensity perception, offering insights into how emotional responses, cognitive perceptions, social influences, and physical experiences shaping the experience of pain.

Methods: This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 28 participants aged 18-65 from Richmond Hill, Ontario, who experience chronic pain within September to December 2023. The interviews aimed to achieve theoretical saturation and were analyzed using NVivo software to identify themes and sub-themes within the data.

Results: Four main themes were identified: emotional responses, cognitive perceptions, social influences, and physical experience. Each theme comprised several categories with distinct concepts such as anxiety, depression, coping mechanisms, pain significance, personal control, family dynamics, healthcare interactions, sensory details, and activity levels. These themes collectively depicted a comprehensive view of the multifaceted psychological impact on pain perception.

Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of addressing the psychological aspects of pain perception in chronic pain management. By integrating emotional, cognitive, and social factors, healthcare providers can enhance therapeutic approaches and improve quality of life for individuals suffering from chronic pain.