Crosby, C., Cienega, P.P., Bieniak, K., McCracken, K., Fenelon, E., & Tran, S.T. (2024, April 18) Experiences of pain dismissal in college students with marginalized identities [Poster Presentation]. 2024 Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, United States.

Abstract 

Problem/Major Purpose

The experience of chronic pain is diverse, often leading to misinterpretation and dismissal by healthcare professionals and support systems. Marginalized people with chronic pain tend to experience increased barriers to health care. We hypothesize misinterpretation, pain intensity, and dismissal are more likely to happen to those with marginalized identities such as gender, ethnicity, and race. 

Procedure

Participants (N = 419; M age = 19.44, SD age = 1.51), enrolled at a Midwestern United States university completed an online survey about their health. Responses to questions regarding pain and demographics are assessed. Only students with chronic pain (n = 146) were included. Questions focused on pain levels and whether or not mental health professionals or loved ones believed their pain or not. Demographic questions were used to identify marginalized identities. We compared gender groups (i.e., female vs gender-non-conforming vs male) in measures of pain intensity and dismissal.

Results

We compared female (n = 113), Gender non-conforming (n = 14), and male (n = 18) participants. Female (M = 5.67, SD = 2.32) and gender-nonconforming/genderqueer (M = 6.00, SD = 1.62) emerging adults had higher reported pain intensity than male (M = 4.00, SD = 2.26) counterparts. In addition, of those with chronic pain, female (50.4%) and gender non-conforming/genderqueer participants (50%) experience higher levels of pain dismissal than males (11%; 𝛘2 (2) = 9.811, p = .007).

Students of color (n = 80) with chronic pain had worse usual pain intensity compared with white students (n = 65; M = 3.74, SD = 1.90, and M = 2.80, SD = 1.72 respectively, p = .003). Experiencing pain dismissal did not differ for students based on ethnicity (X2 (1) =  .23, p = .64).

Conclusion

Although research has been conducted to better understand chronic pain experiences, there is a gap in the literature on how pain dismissal is experienced in those with marginalized identities. This study aims to identify such gaps to better understand the discrepancies. Results show that emerging adults with marginalized gender identities experience higher amounts of pain dismissal. Understanding this is critical in the study of chronic pain as it provides a greater scope of people with chronic pain and their experiences in healthcare. More research is needed among emerging adults with chronic pain and marginalized identities outside of university settings to gain a better and more generalized understanding of the topic.

50-Word Abstract

Emerging adults with chronic pain completed questions on pain intensity, pain dismissal, and demographics. Female and gender-nonconforming students had higher pain intensity and pain dismissal than males. Students of color had worse pain intensity compared with white students. Effects of pain dismissal on functioning are important to investigate.

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