Abstract
An emerging biopsychosocial reconceptualization of pain supports much-needed improvements in pediatric pain management in medical and dental settings. This new perspective emphasizes coping and control perceptions while integrating developmental factors in a multi-factorial model of pain. Changes in clinical practice suggested by this approach have begun to show evidence of significantly enhancing pain management for children and may also have more positive long-term learning effects. These changes entail increasing the child's active involvement in assessing and managing his or her own pain in order to maximize coping and control perceptions. Psychologists can support these changes through interventions at both individual and systems levels.