Relationship Between Psychological Variables and Postoperative Pain in Children

Abstract

Background: Despite advances in pediatric pain management, postoperative pain remains a significant concern. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of pain and its susceptibility to various factors, there is a growing need to identify risk factors for postoperative pain and effective pain coping strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological variables and postoperative pain in children. Methods: A descriptive-correlational study was conducted with a sample of 171 children aged 6 - 13 years, conveniently selected from a children’s hospital in Tehran, Iran, based on specific inclusion criteria. The data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the Child Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (CPASS), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 21). Results: The majority of the 171 participants were male (65.5%), with an average age of 9.58 years. Abdominal surgery was the most common procedure (53.2%), with an average duration of 134.29 minutes. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between psychological variables and postoperative pain. Specifically, for each point increase in children’s and parents’ mean anxiety scores, postoperative pain increased by 0.31% and 0.30%, respectively. Conversely, for each point increase in children’s mean coping score, postoperative pain decreased by 0.14%. Conclusions: Child and parental anxiety and coping strategies were linked to postoperative pain. Accordingly, higher levels of anxiety in children and their parents were associated with an increased likelihood of postoperative pain; nevertheless, better coping skills in children correlated with reduced postoperative pain. Therefore, implementing psychological interventions might prove effective in managing postoperative pain in children.