An ecological and lifespan approach of social influences on childhood pain experiences

Abstract

Pediatric pain is a common experience that not only impacts the child but also their social environment (e.g., parents, peers, school functioning). Several models have been formulated to gain a better understanding of the social context interwoven with pediatric pain, with the Social Communications Model the most well-known and comprehensive model. More recent model development has focused on providing an explanation of specific pathways to adaptive or maladaptive pain-related functioning in children (e.g., Interpersonal Fear-Avoidance Model, Ecological Resilience-Risk Model). The purpose of the current chapter is to provide an overview of both the Interpersonal Fear-Avoidance Model and the Ecological Resilience-Risk Model, followed by a critical evaluation of their merit in furthering our understanding of pediatric chronic pain across development and within the broader social context (e.g., peers and school environment). The chapter will conclude with directions for future research, model development and clinical practice.