Chronic pain, meaning, and spirituality: A qualitative study of the healing proc

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J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2006 Winter;60(4):369-78.

Chronic pain, meaning, and spirituality: A qualitative study of the

healing process in relation to the role of meaning and spirituality.

Sorajjakool S, KM, Aveling L, Earl A.

Loma University, Loma , CA 92350, USA.

This qualitative study explores experiences of individuals with

chronic pain in their attempt to find meaning in the presence of

continual pain. Fifteen participants at Loma University

Behavioral Medicine Center were interviewed. Emerging themes from

this study show that (1) meaning is initially defined as the ability

to engage in productive activities and positive relationships; (2)

chronic pain is perceived as the factor that removes meaning from

the lives of sufferers; (3) medication is used to cope with pain,

leading to addiction; (4) addiction results in greater loss of

meaning; and (5) rediscovery of meaning takes place through a more

complex understanding of the self that embraces suffering and thus

is able to explain the interrelation of pain, emotions, and

addiction. A change in self-understanding makes the reintegration of

meaning possible.