The impact of co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms on adolescent functioning, a cross-sectional survey

Adolescents who experience poor mental health may develop chronic pain. Similarly, those with chronic pain may develop mental health symptoms. Little is known concerning how these co-occurring symptoms are associated with adolescent functioning. Our online cross-sectional quantitative study compared the specific nature of challenges to psychosocial functioning, across 4 groups: (1) adolescents with co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms; (2) adolescents who only experience chronic pain symptoms; (3) adolescents who only experience mental health symptoms, and (4) adolescents who do not report either symptom. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing pain experiences, mental health symptoms and psychosocial functioning. After controlling for pain intensity, findings revealed significant differences, in physical, social, and family functioning across all groups. Significantly worse physical functioning was reported by adolescents with co-occurring pain and mental health symptoms and those with pain-only symptoms compared with adolescents with mental health-only symptoms and those without symptoms. Social functioning was significantly worse for adolescents who experienced co-occurring chronic pain and mental health symptoms compared with adolescents who experienced pain-only symptoms, and those with no symptoms. Significantly worse family functioning was reported by adolescents with mental health-only symptoms compared with adolescents reporting pain-only symptoms and no symptoms. Results suggest the combined impact of pain and mental health symptoms mainly influences adolescent social functioning. Future research is needed to develop standardised assessment and treatment plans to facilitate a thorough understanding of symptoms presented by adolescents who experience co-occurring pain and mental health symptoms.This study identifies that the combined impact of pain and mental health symptoms influences adolescent social functioning when compared to adolescents who experience pain-only or those without symptoms. Research is needed to develop standardised assessment and treatment plans to fully understand the symptoms presented by adolescents with co-occurring symptoms.