title: An investigation of constructions of justice and injustice in chronic pain: a Q-methodology approach.
abstract: This study used Q-methodology to explore justice-related accounts of chronic pain. Eighty participants completed the Q-sorting procedure (33 chronic pain sufferers and 47 non-pain sufferers). Analysis revealed five main factors. Three factors blame: society for poor medical and interpersonal treatment; the chronic pain sufferer for indulging in self-pity and unempathic healthcare workers for ignoring patients. A fourth factor acknowledges the unfairness of pain and encourages self-reliance. The fifth factor rejects injustice in the chronic pain discourse. Overall, there is a shared view that chronic pain brings unfair treatment, disrespect and a de-legitimization of pain. Future research ideas are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. j.mcparland@gcu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McParland
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hezseltine
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serpell
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eccleston
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stenner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011779:Q-Sort; D012649:Self Concept; D012935:Social Justice / Q000523:psychology*