EFFECTS OF PERCEIVED STRESS ON PEDIATRIC CHRONIC PAIN

The dearth of theoretically driven research on the predictors of pedia tric chronic pain may unwittingly contribute to needless suffering in children and adolescents by underinvestigating a potentially treatable condition. The objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesized predictive effects of perceived stress on pediatric chron ic pain intensify in 148 children and adolescents. Consistent with the a priori Biobehavioral Model of Pediatric Pain, higher perceived stre ss was predictive of greater pediatric pain intensity. The results are discussed with regard to the implications for cognitive-behavioral pe diatric pain treatment.