The Impact of Attachment Patterns in Chronic Pain Treatment

This study explores the treatment experiences of chronic pain patients and physicians practicing pain medicine. Using a mixed-methods design, ten patients and ten physicians participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview designed to gather information regarding their experiences as a patient in chronic pain treatment and a physician providing chronic pain treatment. Participants also completed the Experience in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) to assess their existing attachment patterns. The interview narratives were analyzed using a content analysis approach. Themes found include: variability of chronic pain, resiliency, impact, communication styles, the choice to practice pain medicine, patient perception of physician attitudes; physical, environmental, and psychological realms of chronic pain; components of treatment; relational models of chronic pain; and impact of attachment on dyads. The idea of perpetuating the relationship and the impact of attachment patterns on this task is present throughout the experiences. A possible approach for understanding these experiences using concepts from relational theory and attachment theory is proposed, suggesting that attachment patterns to early caregivers influence how patients relate to their pain physicians. Narrative data complements the ECR-RS categorizations. This study’s potential impact on medical practice and social work practice is discussed and future research ideas and/or applications are proposed