Health-related quality of life in youth with abdominal pain: An examination of optimism and pain self-efficacy

Rachel M Tomlinson; Kevin C Bax; Dhandapani Ashok; C Meghan McMurtry

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110531

Health-related quality of life in youth with abdominal pain: An examination of optimism and pain self-efficacy

J Psychosom Res. 2021 Aug:147:110531. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110531. Epub 2021 May 24.

Authors

Rachel M Tomlinson¹, Kevin C Bax², Dhandapani Ashok³, C Meghan McMurtry⁴

Affiliations

¹ Kitchener Psychology Centre, 715 Fischer Hallman Rd., Kitchener, ON N2E 4E9, Canada. Electronic address: rtomlinson@kitchenerpsych.com.
² Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E, London, Ontario N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: kevin.bax@lhsc.on.ca.
³ Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E, London, Ontario N6A 5W9, Canada. Electronic address: dhandapani.ashok@lhsc.on.ca.
⁴ Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Pediatric Chronic Pain Program, McMaster Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, Western University, Children's Health Research Institute, Canada. Electronic address: cmcmurtr@uoguelph.ca.

PMID: 34082155
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110531

Abstract

Objectives: Abdominal pain adversely impacts children with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) or organic gastrointestinal disorders (OGIDs); findings are inconsistent regarding diagnosis and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study utilizes a positive psychology framework to understand the experience of youth with abdominal pain (i.e., do positive psychological factors, such as optimism and pain self-efficacy, relate to higher HRQoL?). Consistent with a protective factor model of resilience, in which personal assets may serve as buffers between risk factors and negative outcomes, optimism and pain self-efficacy were examined as they relate to HRQoL in youth with abdominal pain. Specifically, exploratory moderational analyses examined a) if optimism and pain self-efficacy moderate the relation between pain and HRQoL, and b) whether diagnostic status moderated the relation between optimism/pain self-efficacy and HRQoL.

Methods: In a cross-sectional, observational study, youth (n = 98; M_age = 13, SD = 3) experiencing abdominal pain related to FGIDs or OGIDs and one of their parents participated. Measures included pain intensity, optimism, pain self-efficacy, and HRQoL. Analyses controlled for diagnosis, age, and gender.

Results: Higher pain and age related to lower HRQoL. Higher levels of optimism and pain self-efficacy associated with HRQoL beyond demographics. Optimism and pain self-efficacy did not moderate the relation between pain and HRQoL. Diagnostic status did not moderate the relation between optimism or pain self-efficacy and HRQoL.

Discussion: Our results suggest positive relations between positive psychological factors (optimism, pain self-efficacy) and HRQoL in youth with abdominal pain. Such factors could be further examined in intervention studies.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; Gastrointestinal illness; Health-related quality of life; Optimism; Pain self-efficacy; Psychogastroenterology.

Publication types

Observational Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Abdominal Pain
Adolescent
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Optimism
Quality of Life*
Self Efficacy*