Pain and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Dyadic Relationships Between Canadian Armed Forces Members/Veterans With Chronic Pain and Their Offspring

Abstract: Chronic pain and mental health issues occur at higher rates in Veterans than the general population. One widely recognized mental health issue faced by Veterans is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma symptoms and pain frequently co-occur and are mutually maintained due to shared mechanisms. Many Veterans are also parents. Parental physical and mental health issues significantly predict children's chronic pain and related functioning, which can continue into adulthood. Only one US-based study has examined pain in the offspring of Veterans, suggesting heightened risk for pain. Research to date has not examined the associations between trauma and pain, and the dyadic influences of these symptoms, among Veterans and their children. The current study aimed to describe pain characteristics in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Members/Veterans with chronic pain and their offspring (youth and adult children aged 9-38). Cross-lagged Panel Models (CLPM) were conducted to examine dyadic relationships between pain interference and trauma symptoms of CAF Members/Veterans and their offspring. Over half of adult offspring and over one quarter of youth offspring reported chronic pain. Results revealed effects between one's own symptoms of PTSD and pain interference. No significant effects of parents on offspring or offspring on parents were found. The findings highlight the interconnection between pain and PTSD consistent with mutual maintenance models, and a lack of significant interpersonal findings suggestive of resiliency in this unique population. PERSPECTIVE: We characterized chronic pain in offspring of Canadian Armed Forces Members/Veterans with chronic pain and examined dyadic relationships between PTSD symptoms and chronic pain interference. Findings revealed that PTSD symptoms and pain interference were related within Veterans and offspring, but no dyadic relationships were found, which could reflect resiliency.

Read the full article
Report a problem with this article

Related articles

  • More for Researchers

    Qualitative analysis of the lived experience of reproductive and pediatric health care in the military health care system

    Abstract: Introduction: Persistent inequities exist in obstetric and neonatal outcomes in military families despite universal health care coverage. Though the exact underlying cause has not been identified, social determinants of health may uniquely impact military families. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate the potential impact of social determinants of health and the lived experiences of military individuals seeking maternity care in the Military Health System. Materials and methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. Nine providers conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with individuals who delivered within the last 5 years in the direct or purchased care market. Participants were recruited through social media blasts and clinic flyers with both maximum variation and homogenous sampling to ensure participation of diverse individuals. Data were coded and themes were identified using inductive qualitative research methods. Results: Three main themes were identified: Requirements of Military Life (with subthemes of pregnancy notification and privacy during care, role of pregnancy instructions and policies, and role of command support), Sociocultural Aspects of the Military Experience (with subthemes of pregnancy as a burden on colleagues and a career detractor, postpartum adjustment, balancing personal and professional requirements, pregnancy timing and parenting challenges, and importance of friendship and camaraderie in pregnancy), and Navigating the Healthcare Experience (including subthemes of transfer between military and civilian care and TRICARE challenges, perception of military care as inferior to civilian, and remote duty stations and international care). Conclusions: The unique stressors of military life act synergistically with the existing health care challenges, presenting opportunities for improvements in care. Such opportunities may include increased consistency of policies across services and commands. Increased access to group prenatal care and support groups, and increased assistance with navigating the health care system to improve care transitions were frequently requested changes by participants.