Bieniak, K. H., Fenelon, E., McCracken, K., Crosby, C., Paredes-Cienega, P., Tran, S. T. (2025, April 3-5). Dismissal, discrimination, and pain intensity in emerging adults with chronic pain [Poster Presentation]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ. 

Abstract

Introduction 

Pain dismissal (e.g., denying, minimizing, and ignoring someone’s pain) and discrimination are barriers to healthcare for chronic pain patients. This study analyzed the intersection of pain dismissal and discrimination in a non-clinical sample of emerging adults reporting chronic pain. 

Methods 

Participants reported their experiences of pain (duration, intensity, and dismissal) and discrimination (N = 229, M_age = 19.58, SD_age = 1.96). Participants predominantly self-identified as women or girls (n = 179, 78.17%) and as White/European American (n = 97, 42.36%). Independent samples t-tests compared means of daily discrimination in those reporting and not reporting pain dismissal. Usual and worst pain intensities over the past two weeks were assessed on a numeric rating scale (0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain imaginable). The Everyday Discrimination Scale assessed frequency of experiencing several types of discrimination and scores ranged from 0 (no discrimination) to 45 (daily discrimination across all types).  

Results 

Approximately 42% of participants with chronic pain reported pain dismissal. Those reporting pain dismissal reported higher discrimination (M = 17.65, SD = 8.91) than those without pain dismissal (M = 14.73, SD = 8.24; t(226) = 2.57, p = 0.01). Worst pain intensity was related to higher discrimination (r = 0.14, p = 0.03), and significantly higher in those reporting dismissal (M_dismissed = 5.87, M_{not dismissed} = 5.17; t (225) = 2.27, p = 0.02) while usual pain intensity did not vary by dismissal status (M_dismissed = 3.49, M_{not dismissed} = 3.17; t(224) = 1.32, p = 0.19).   

Conclusion 

Pain dismissal was frequent in our chronic pain sample. More discrimination was reported by those experiencing dismissal than those not being dismissed. Dismissal was related to worse pain exacerbation. Research must continue to explore the relationship between pain dismissal and discrimination and establish effective methods for reducing their occurrences.