Reflecting the transition from pain management services to chronic pain support group attendance: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Journal article
Authors | Finlay, Katherine A. and Elander, James |
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Abstract | Objectives. Transitioning from clinical care to community-based self-management represents a significant challenge, throughout which social support can facilitate health adjustment and quality of life. However, community-centred, peer-led support structures are often under-used. This study aimed to investigate the decision-making processes involved in the choice to attend a Chronic Pain Support Group (CPSG) following discharge from a Pain Management Programme. Design. An in-depth, qualitative analysis was undertaken using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), exploring participants’ subjective experiences, decisional making, and rationale for initial CPSG attendance. Methods. Twelve participants (four males, eight females) were recruited from a regional CPSG and completed semi-structured interviews lasting between 45 and 120 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed idiographically before a cross-case analysis was completed. Results. Analysis of transcripts resulted in three superordinate themes: (1) The thirst for comparative friendship; (2) Conjecture and the imminent choice; (3) Progressive pain management. These themes reflect a desire for empathic, socially comparative friendships and the search for a forum in which to enhance pain self-management strategies, yet also internal conflict over initial CPSG attendance. Conclusion. Social support and associated friendships are attractive to prospective CPSG members and are conceptualised as opportunities to engage in social comparison and nurture self-care. The first visit to the support group presents a significant hurdle, but can be facilitated by managing the transition between therapeutic care and CPSG attendance. Clinicians can challenge preconceptions, foster positive viewpoints regarding the group and support collective decision-making to attend. Following initial attendance, psychosocial wellbeing was enhanced. |
Objectives. Transitioning from clinical care to community-based self-management represents a significant challenge, throughout which social support can facilitate health adjustment and quality of life. However, community-centred, peer-led support structures are often under-used. This study aimed to investigate the decision-making processes involved in the choice to attend a Chronic Pain Support Group (CPSG) following discharge from a Pain Management Programme. | |
Keywords | Chronic pain; Support groups; Social support; Qualitative; Phenomenology; Self-care; Community care |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | British Journal of Health Psychology |
Publisher | Wiley |
ISSN | 1359107X |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12194 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/621390 |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ | |
hdl:10545/621390 | |
Publication dates | 27 May 2016 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 15 Feb 2017, 15:32 |
Rights | Archived with thanks to British Journal of Health Psychology |
Contributors | University of Buckingham and University of Derby, Department of Psychology; School of Science and Postgraduate Medicine; University of Buckingham; UK and Centre for Psychological Research; University of Derby; UK |
File | |
File | File Access Level Open |
File | File Access Level Open |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/93vw1/reflecting-the-transition-from-pain-management-services-to-chronic-pain-support-group-attendance-an-interpretative-phenomenological-analysis
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