Pain beliefs predict pain intensity and pain status in children: Usefulness of the pediatric version of the survey of pain attitudes

Abstract

Objective: Pain attitudes and beliefs are hypothesized to influence pain and adjustment to pain. Valid and reliable measures of these beliefs are necessary to test their hypothesized associations with outcomes. The Pediatric version of the Survey of Pain Attitudes (Peds-SOPA) is a new measure with limited evidence regarding its psychometric properties. This study sought to: 1) evaluate the predictive validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Peds-SOPA; and 2) determine if there are sex- or age-related differences in children's attitudes toward pain. Design: Longitudinal study. Participants: Five hundred and sixty-one schoolchildren between 8 and 16 years old participated in this study. Results: Factor analyses supported the seven-factor structure described by the original authors. The Peds-SOPA showed acceptable reliability with Cronbach alpha values ranging from 0.68 to 0.80. The Peds-SOPA scales also demonstrated prospective predictive validity via their associations with pain intensity, and pain status at 1-year follow-up. The findings also showed some few sex- and age-specific differences in the Peds-SOPA scores. Conclusions: The current findings provide additional support for the reliability and validity of the Peds-SOPA, and suggest that children's pain attitudes and beliefs might be important intervention targets in pain treatment. © 2014 American Academy of Pain Medicine.