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Maternal influences in adolescents' pain self-management: A qualitative investigation

Abstract The family, particularly mothers, has been shown to have a profound impact on children's pain expression and coping. However, the cumulative effect of maternal influences on adolescents' pain experiences is unknown. By adolescence, young people demonstrate independence concerning their own health; this is apparent in decisions to self-medicate for recurrent pain. How adolescents acquire independence in pain management has not been addressed adequately in the literature. The present study assessed maternal influences in adolescents' autonomy in pain management choices by employing a qualitative methodology. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 mother–adolescent dyads. Although adolescents reported self-medicating for recurrent pain, analgesic use was largely mother-assisted. Intergenerational transmission of information about pain and pain management was clear. Mothers transmitted information to adolescents through pain management practices and knowledge of analgesics. Shared attitudes and pain management strategies underscored the role of mothers as models for and essential facilitators of their adolescents' transition towards autonomy in pain management. Mechanisms by which mothers transmitted information to adolescents about pain and pain management were primarily verbal communications and modelling. The findings from this study provide further support for maternal influences on children's pain expression, as well as evidence for maternal influences on adolescents' pain management choices.