Mindfulness and Acceptance as Moderators of Functioning among Refugees with Chronic Pain
Abstract
Background and Purpose/Objectives: Clinical levels of chronic pain have been reported in 66% of refugees (Teodorescu et al. , 2015), with rates as high as 78% in refugee survivors of torture (Williams, Peña, & Rice, 2010). Mindfulness has recently been highlighted as a means of improving quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain (Hilton et al., 2017). The majority of this research has focused on North Americans and Europeans, although in one study, mindfulness intervention reduced distress and improved emotion regulation in traumatized refugees and minority populations (Hinton, 2013). To determine effective interventions for refugees with chronic pain, we must identify psychological processes that are strong, modifiable correlates of pain-related functioning. The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent pain-related impairment in refugees is moderated by mindfulness and acceptance.
Methodology: Data collection is currently underway at an outpatient mental health clinic, and based on enrollment in prior years, we expect that we will have a participant sample of N=50. Participants will complete the Brief Pain Inventory, the Patient-Specific Functioning Form, the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, and the Acceptance and Attitudes Questionnaire – II.
Results: It is expected that chronic pain will be negatively associated with functioning levels. In addition, we hypothesize that mindfulness and acceptance will moderate the association between chronic pain and functioning, such that higher levels of mindfulness and acceptance will correspond to weaker associations.
Conclusion/Discussion: Implications for assessment, treatment targets, and use of progress measures in outpatient mental health clinics will be discussed.
Mindfulness and Acceptance as Moderators of Functioning among Refugees with Chronic Pain
Background and Purpose/Objectives: Clinical levels of chronic pain have been reported in 66% of refugees (Teodorescu et al. , 2015), with rates as high as 78% in refugee survivors of torture (Williams, Peña, & Rice, 2010). Mindfulness has recently been highlighted as a means of improving quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain (Hilton et al., 2017). The majority of this research has focused on North Americans and Europeans, although in one study, mindfulness intervention reduced distress and improved emotion regulation in traumatized refugees and minority populations (Hinton, 2013). To determine effective interventions for refugees with chronic pain, we must identify psychological processes that are strong, modifiable correlates of pain-related functioning. The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent pain-related impairment in refugees is moderated by mindfulness and acceptance.
Methodology: Data collection is currently underway at an outpatient mental health clinic, and based on enrollment in prior years, we expect that we will have a participant sample of N=50. Participants will complete the Brief Pain Inventory, the Patient-Specific Functioning Form, the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, and the Acceptance and Attitudes Questionnaire – II.
Results: It is expected that chronic pain will be negatively associated with functioning levels. In addition, we hypothesize that mindfulness and acceptance will moderate the association between chronic pain and functioning, such that higher levels of mindfulness and acceptance will correspond to weaker associations.
Conclusion/Discussion: Implications for assessment, treatment targets, and use of progress measures in outpatient mental health clinics will be discussed.