Chronic Pain Lived Experience of Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the child- and parent-centered lived experience of chronic sickle cell pain and its management among children and adolescents living with sickle cell disease (SCD). A secondary aim was to examine culturally relevant treatment preferences to inform clinically m...

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Publicado en:Health Psychology Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 5 - 14
Autores principales: Sil, Soumitri, Mooney, Jan T., Shih, Sharon, Dampier, Carlton, Cohen, Lindsey L.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: American Psychological Association Jan2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jan2026
      vid: 45
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      pub: American Psychological Association
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        193372069
        10.1037/hea0001548
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        atl: Chronic Pain Lived Experience of Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease: A Qualitative Study.
      aug:
        au:
          Sil, Soumitri
          Mooney, Jan T.
          Shih, Sharon
          Dampier, Carlton
          Cohen, Lindsey L.
        affil:
          Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
          Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
          Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
          Department of Psychology, Georgia State University
      su:
        Health services accessibility
        Sickle cell anemia
        Qualitative research
        Job absenteeism
        Autonomy (Psychology)
        Interviewing
        Schools
        Hospital care
        Family relations
        Parenting
        Experience
        Sound recordings
        Pain management
        Psychological stress
        Guilt (Psychology)
        Psychology of parents
        Social support
        Behavior therapy
        Socialization
        Adolescence
        Children
        Chronic pain & psychology
        Thematic analysis
        Research methodology
        Medical coding
        Grounded theory
        Data analysis software
      sug:
        subj:
          Health services accessibility
          Sickle cell anemia
          Qualitative research
          Job absenteeism
          Autonomy (Psychology)
          Interviewing
          Schools
          Hospital care
          Family relations
          Parenting
          Experience
          Sound recordings
          Pain management
          Psychological stress
          Guilt (Psychology)
          Psychology of parents
          Social support
          Behavior therapy
          Socialization
          Adolescence
          Children
          All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction
          Elementary and Secondary Schools
          Sound recording merchant wholesalers
          Record Production
          Integrated Record Production/Distribution
          Other Individual and Family Services
          Chronic pain & psychology
          Thematic analysis
          Research methodology
          Medical coding
          Grounded theory
          Data analysis software
      keyword:
        adolescents
        chronic pain
        lived experience
        qualitative
        sickle cell disease
        adolescents
        chronic pain
        lived experience
        qualitative
        sickle cell disease
      ab: Objective: This study aimed to describe the child- and parent-centered lived experience of chronic sickle cell pain and its management among children and adolescents living with sickle cell disease (SCD). A secondary aim was to examine culturally relevant treatment preferences to inform clinically meaningful end points for nonpharmacological behavioral treatments and identify facilitators and barriers to behavioral treatments to enhance the feasibility and acceptability of future chronic sickle cell pain treatment programs. Method: Participants were 14 dyads of children and adolescents with SCD and their parents. A qualitative, participatory approach was used to conduct individual semistructured interviews with iterative refinement of the interview guide, coding, and analysis throughout. Results: Child and parent experiences described three overarching themes: (a) the experience of chronic sickle cell pain and its management, including the negative impact and increased stress from frequent school absences, hospitalizations, peer socialization, and changes in autonomy with age; (b) the impact on parent and family functioning, including parenting stress, needing community support, protecting each other from impacts of pain, and parents feeling guilt for the genetics of SCD; and (c) preferences for treatment and interventions, including expertise and trust in treating providers and skill acquisition to support living a full, valued life. Conclusions: Children with chronic SCD pain and their caregivers conceptualize children's pain experiences as complex, dynamic, and shaped by the surrounding context. Adapting interventions to address the unique individual and family experiences and needs may enhance behavioral pain interventions, treatment engagement, and optimize the health of children with chronic SCD pain. Public Significance Statement: Chronic pain among children and adolescents with sickle cell disease is not well understood with minimal effective treatment options. Children living with sickle cell disease and chronic pain along with their caregivers identified the negative impact chronic pain has on daily life, caregiver and family functioning, and preferences for pain treatment options that center the unique experiences of chronic sickle cell pain. This understanding of their lived experiences can guide public health efforts and policies aimed at equitable pain relief and care for children with sickle cell disease.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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