Emerging Adults and Chronic Pain: Exploring the Impact of Chronic Pain on Emerging Adults and their Ability to Adapt

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a period of exploration and uncertainty where individuals between 18 and 29 years old investigate the abundance of opportunities available to them in regard to love, work, and worldviews. Although chronic pain is typically not life threatening, it does pose a myriad of psychosocial challenges to emerging adults as they work to achieve developmental milestones such as identity formation and relationship building. As physical and mental health often begin to decline, it is increasingly important for positive forms of adaptation remain imminent to reduce anxiety and restore equilibrium. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this study explored the perceptions of 8 emerging adults through semi-structured interviews in order to better understand the impact chronic pain has on their ability to execute developmental milestones and adapt to the inevitable challenges associated. A thematic content analysis was utilized to identify five major themes: 1) restricted exploration, 2) relationship building barriers causing uncertainty, 3) lack of independence, 4) identity confusing restricting adaptation, and 5) adaptation. Emerging adults are a unique population to consider in regard to chronic pain as this is already a tumultuous life phase. Many transitions are present, such as pediatric to adult health care, educational and career opportunities, and support systems, so understanding how chronic pain challenges these transitions is vital. More so, hearing personal testimonies is a powerful means in achieving this understanding so that individualized supports are fostered.