[Familial and pain-related markers from the viewpoint of chronic pain patients and their partners]

Abstract

Based on a general family model Saile and Schmitz (1991) developed the Pain related inventory of family adaptability and cohesion (SIFAK), which assesses three aspects of family life related to chronic pain: adaptability in dealing with chronic pain, pain related enmeshment and pain related disengagement and alienation. 40 patients with chronic low back pain and their spouses completed a revised version of the SIFAK and measures of pain intensity, pain related disability and marital satisfaction. Patients and spouses agreed more on marital satisfaction than on pain related variables. In multiple regression analyses marital satisfaction and pain related disability--each in the view of patients and spouses--were predicted by pain and family related variables. Implications for future research (other data sources, other measurement methods) and for psychological treatment of chronic pain are discussed.