Distress in adolescents with chronic pain: Who is at risk, when, & why
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Suicidal distress in adolescents with chronic pain: Who is at risk, when, and why?
IRAS ID
341501
Contact name
Verena Hinze
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background: Chronic pain is a serious concern in young people; up to 38% are affected by chronic pain. For many, chronic pain can last into adulthood, causing disability and distress, including feelings of hopelessness and entrapment. At its worst, pain may co-occur with suicidal and self-harm thoughts and behaviours. Previously, we have shown that nearly one in 10 adolescents in the UK reported persistent/recurrent pain and self-harm thoughts or behaviours. This increases to about one in two adolescents with chronic pain in clinical settings. But not everyone with chronic pain will develop such severe distress. Therefore, it is crucial that we better understand who is at risk, when, and why.
Aims: In this study, we address the following research question: What are the factors that determine why some young people with chronic pain may experience suicidal distress but not others, and through which mechanisms does chronic pain increase such distress over time? This is important so we can help those who need it at the right time.
Methods: 70 adolescents with chronic pain (12-19 years) will be invited to take part in this study. They will complete three detailed surveys and brief questions on their experience of pain, suicidal distress, and relevant mechanisms 5 times per day for 30 days, using a method called ‘Ecological Momentary Assessment’. This method is similar to a digital diary and will enable us to explore how feelings of pain and suicidal distress might change (increase or decrease) over short periods (hours/days/weeks) of time in the daily lives of adolescents with chronic pain. We also aim to identify psychological and social factors that might predict those changes (who is at risk, and through which psychosocial processes such suicidal distress emerges over time).
Impact: As chronic pain brings young people in contact with healthcare services, our findings can directly inform clinical care. Understanding the factors that might explain who is at risk is vital to identify vulnerable youth, and knowing when and through which processes risk increases is key to identify effective support and help healthcare professionals in offering prompt and effective care to adolescents with chronic pain.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0219
Date of REC Opinion
13 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion