TITLE:
Forgiveness and Chronic Pain: A Cohort Study
AUTHORS:
Sheena O’Beirne, Dominic Harmon
KEYWORDS:
Forgiveness, Chronic Pain, Associations
JOURNAL NAME:
Pain Studies and Treatment,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Chronic pain is a major public health issue. It is a
complex condition comprising biological, social and psychological elements, which
can be challenging to manage. Forgiveness is a recognised effective intervention
in various health conditions. Research has shown promising results using forgiveness
as an intervention in the management of pain. This study aims to examine the relationship
between forgiveness and other variables in patients suffering from chronic pain
in the setting of a chronic pain clinic. Methods: Institutional
ethical approval was granted for this study. Patients attending a chronic pain clinic
for the first time were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising a brief socio-demographic
survey and questionnaires including the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, Hospital Anxiety
and Depression Scale, Pain and Anxiety Symptoms Scale and Perceived Injustice. Results: 104
adult patients were included. The mean age was 59 years. Back pain
was the most common chronic pain presentation. The Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS) was found to have
a good internal consistency among the Irish population. This study found that 55% of patients attending the pain
clinic were not forgiving. Negative correlations were identified
between forgiveness and pain, and forgiveness and injustice. Conclusion: The
majority of patients attending a chronic pain clinic were not forgiving as measured
on the HFS. There was a negative correlation between forgiveness and pain. The results
have shown that forgiveness could be beneficial as a therapeutic intervention among
patients attending a chronic pain clinic.