Date of Award

May 2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

William H Davies

Committee Members

Kristin Smith, Bonita Klein-Tasman

Keywords

adolescent chronic pain, Chronic pain, Pain dismissal, parental pain dismissal

Abstract

The experience of chronic pain and pain dismissal is common in children/adolescents. Parental pain dismissal is of particular interest in this study due to the complexity of the family unit. Substantial research has been conducted to determine the negative impacts on emerging adults (e.g., drug misuse and rates of anxiety and depression). However, no research has explored the lasting impacts that these experiences facilitate into emerging adulthood. The purpose of the current study was to better understand the long-term impacts of parental pain dismissal into emerging adulthood. Participants in the current study were emerging adults that completed an online survey including brief questionnaires and open-ended questions. Findings revealed that parental pain dismissal was not significantly different from other forms of dismissal. However, it may significantly impact one’s mental/emotional health when compared to those that do not experience chronic pain. These findings suggest that while parental pain dismissal is not “worse” than other forms of dismissal, it still has negative impacts into emerging adulthood.

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