Article

Pain caused by a work injury is a complex phenomenon comprising multiple
factors, e.g. age, gender, prior health status, occupation, job demands, and
severity of injury. Little research has focused on injured workers with chronic
pain. This study investigates injured workers' pain coping. METHODS: A
descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to measure coping strategies of
injured workers in a work rehabilitation program. Differences in coping
strategies by demographics, injury-related variables, pain, disability, and
depression were measured. RESULTS: n = 479. The coping strategy with the highest
mean score was "coping self statements" (Mean = 19.4, SD = 7.6), followed by
"praying/hoping" (Mean = 18.2, SD = 9.7), and "catastrophizing" (Mean = 17.5, SD
= 8.0). Statistical differences for coping strategies were noted between gender,
marital status, depression levels, self-perceived disability levels, and pain (p
< 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided relevant information about how
injured workers cope with pain. In conditions in which there may be a perceived
lack of control (high pain intensity, high self-perceived disability, and high
self rated depression), there were significantly higher amounts of both
"catastrophizing" and "praying and hoping". Therefore, workers with high pain and
high self-perceived disability are more likely catastrophize their pain, leading
to poor recovery outcomes.

Langue : ANGLAIS