Older women's experiences with chronic pain: daily challenges and self-care practices.
The subjective nature of chronic pain leads to challenges in describing, treating, and accommodating pain. Twenty older women, who engaged in focus groups, and eight of whom also participated in individual interviews, discussed the influence of chronic pain on their perception of self as well as daily functioning. Managing pain forced many of the women to withdraw from social activities that they valued and interfered with sleep patterns, household tasks and recreational activities. Varied acceptance by social network members added to the challenge of adjusting to complications associated with pain. Self-care practices that supported independence contributed to women's perceived success in daily functioning.
Roberto
Karen A
KA
Center for Gerontology (0426), 237 Wallace Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. kroberto@vt.edu
Reynolds
Sandra G
SG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D014768:Virginia; D016387:Women's Health