title: Pain-related psychological correlates of pediatric acute post-surgical pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Post-surgical pain is prevalent in children, yet is significantly understudied. The goals of this study were to examine gender differences in pain outcomes and pain-related psychological constructs postoperatively and to identify pain-related psychological correlates of acute post-surgical pain (APSP) and predictors of functional disability 2 weeks after hospital discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-three children aged 8-18 (mean 13.8 ± 2.4) years who underwent major orthopedic or general surgery completed pain and pain-related psychological measures 48-72 hours and 2 weeks after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Girls reported higher levels of acute postoperative anxiety and pain unpleasantness compared with boys. In addition, pain anxiety was significantly associated with APSP intensity and functional disability 2 weeks after discharge, whereas pain catastrophizing was associated with APSP unpleasantness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight the important role played by pain-related psychological factors in the experience of pediatric APSP by children and adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: M Gabrielle
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pagé
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Isaac
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz