title: The relationship between pain and functional disability in Black and White older adults.
abstract: In this study we examined pain and disability in 115 community-dwelling, urban, older adults (mean age = 74 years; 52% Black, 48% White). Participants completed a survey of pain (pain presence, intensity, locations, and duration) and disability (Sickness Impact Profile). Sixty percent of the sample reported pain; Black and White adults did not differ on any pain variable. In structural equation models controlling for socioeconomic factors and health, pain did not mediate the relationship between race and disability. Race moderated the pain-disability relationship; pain was more associated with disability among Whites than Blacks. This study highlights the need for greater understanding of health disparities between Black and White older adults as they relate to pain and disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Florida, HPNP Complex, P.O. Box 100197, Gainesville, FL 32610-0197.
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Horgas
authors.forename: Saunjoo L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Austin Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marsiske
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000208:ethnology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data