Age Differences in Pain-Related Variables Among Individuals with Chronic Pain

Abstract: Although previous research suggests a positive shift among older adults with chronic pain, few studies have investigated how this phenomenon occurs in different cultural settings. We compared age-related differences in pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, and pain interference among older, middle-aged, and young adult Japanese and examined age-related differences in patterns of association between pain-related beliefs and pain-related outcomes. Seven hundred and forty participants responded to questionnaires. Analyses of covariance did not show statistically significant age differences in the study variables. The multigroup path analysis showed different patterns in associations of helplessness and rumination subcomponents with pain-related outcomes across age groups. Generally, and contrary to previous research, we did not observe evidence supporting a positive shift of experience in older Japanese adults with chronic pain. The different patterns of associations in the pain-related cognitive model have implications as a guiding framework for pain management in older adults with chronic pain.