Kannout, M., Paredes Cienega, P., Berridge, K., Tran, S., & Kapke, T. (May 2024). Latinx youth and caregivers: A qualitative assessment of the chronic pain lived experience [Poster presentation]. DePaul University 2024 Psych Night, Chicago, IL, United States.

Abstract 

Because of the disproportionate presence of social stressors such as lack of insurance, lack of access to medical facilities, and language barriers within the healthcare system, Latinx youth with chronic pain face greater barriers and discrimination in getting healthcare treatment. The viewpoints of Latinx families on pain management and treatment is likely unique because of these barriers. The goal of the present study was to better comprehend the lived experience of Latinx youth with chronic pain and their caregivers. Participants consisted of 10 caregiver-patient duos who partook in semi-structured interviews centered on their lived experience of pain in home, school, and healthcare settings; barriers and facilitators in pain management; and needs for pain care. Early results of thematic analysis of interviews find that patients’ pain and life stressors impacted each other, especially in regards to school stress. Additionally, patients reported that they did not experience discrimination in some settings due to a shared cultural identity with those around them. We can conclude that stress is greatly involved in the experience of pain for Latinx youth. Future studies should consider that day-to-day interactions for child patients may largely be within-group interactions where discrimination would not take place.

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