Examining Social Health Outcomes in Young Adults with Chronic Pain

Abstract

By Leigha Carlson, Biomedical Engineering

Advisor: Ian Boggero

Presentation ID: PM_B18

Abstract: Young adulthood is a critical time for social development and the formation of relationships. Patients with chronic pain, especially temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), often report difficulty eating, speaking, and expressing emotion. As a result, young adults with chronic pain are more likely to have lower social health and psychosocial functioning than healthy individuals. This study will compare social health outcomes in young adults with fibromyalgia, TMJD, chronic migraine, and healthy controls, becoming the first study to comprehensively characterize social health outcomes in young adults. The study will also help determine whether poor social health is a cause or a consequence of pain. It is hypothesized that all chronic pain groups will report worse social health than healthy controls, and TMJD patients will display the lowest social health, especially regarding loneliness and perceived companionship and support.