Chronic pain and parent–child relations in later life: An important, but understudied issue

Abstract

Chronic pain is a debilitating and pervasive health problem, particularly among older adults. Researchers and clinicians acknowledge that pain conditions do not occur in isolation, but rather exact a toll on the individual sufferer and the family system at large. No research, however, has explicitly explored the impact of older parents' chronic pain symptoms on their adult children. In this article, we present relevant predictions from theoretical models that identify the interpersonal effects of chronic illness and pain on family relationships. Guided by theory and empirical research on these topics, we present a conceptual framework of hypothesized risk factors for adult children of parents with chronic pain. We conclude by offering an agenda for future research.

Keywords:

• intergenerational relationships
• adult children
• pain
• chronic illness