ERIC Number: EJ756351
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Feb
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
Overcoming the Influence of Chronic Pain on Older Patients' Difficulty with Recommended Self-Management Activities
Krein, Sarah L.; Heisler, Michele; Piette, John D.; Butchart, Amy; Kerr, Eve A.
Gerontologist, v47 n1 p61-68 Feb 2007
Purpose: Many older patients with common chronic conditions also experience chronic pain. We examined how chronic pain affects patients' difficulty with recommended self-management activities and the potential intervening role of self-efficacy (the level of confidence in one's own ability to perform a specific task). Design and Methods: We obtained data from a cross-sectional nationwide survey of older patients, primarily older men, with chronic health conditions (N = 543). We defined chronic pain as pain present most of the time for 6 months or more during the past year. We assessed ability to follow self-management recommendations by asking respondents to rate their level of difficulty in performing three commonly recommended activities as suggested by their doctor. Results: More than 60% of survey respondents reported chronic pain. Chronic pain was significantly associated with difficulty exercising regularly (odds ratio [OR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-2.37) and taking prescribed medications (OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.10-8.59) but not with following a recommended eating plan (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.76-1.76). However, when we took self-efficacy into account, chronic pain was no longer significantly associated with either exercise or taking medications. Implications: Chronic pain is a prevalent condition among older patients and is associated with greater reported difficulty performing certain essential self-management activities. Self-efficacy, however, plays an important intervening role. Specifically, higher self-efficacy negated or reduced the association between chronic pain and reported difficulty exercising and taking medications. Promoting self-efficacy among older adults with multiple chronic health problems is a promising strategy to improve their ability to follow self-management recommendations.
Descriptors: Patients, Self Efficacy, Health Conditions, Pain, Chronic Illness, Older Adults, Self Management, Exercise, Eating Habits, Correlation, Drug Therapy, Compliance (Psychology)
Gerontological Society of America. 1030 15th Street NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-842-1275; Fax: 202-842-1150; e-mail: geron@geron.org; Web site: http://www.geron.org/journals/gsapub.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A