Teachers'perceptions of and responses to adolescents with chronic pain syndromes

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J Pediatr Psychol. 2007 Mar;32(2):139-49.

Teachers'perceptions of and responses to adolescents with chronic

pain syndromes.

Logan DE, Coakley RM, Scharff L.

Pain Treatment Service, Children's Hospital Boston, 333 Longwood

Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors that influence teachers' perceptions

of and responses to chronic pain in students.

METHODS: Two-hundred and sixty classroom teachers responded to a

vignette describing a student with limb pain. The 2 x 2 x 2

factorial design included conditions that varied by (a) the presence

or absence of documented organic evidence for the pain, (

cooperative vs. confrontational parent-teacher interactions, and ©

the presence or absence of communication from the medical team.

Teachers rated pain severity and impairment, relief from classroom

responsibilities, extent of accommodations the student would require

in school, and sympathy for the student and family.

RESULTS: Documented medical evidence supporting the pain was the

most influential factor affecting teachers' responses to pain.

Parental attitude also influenced responses. Communication from the

medical team influenced teachers' decisions about relief from

responsibilities but did not affect other reactions.

CONCLUSIONS: Teachers' responses to students with pain are

influenced by situational factors. Efforts to increase school

functioning in youth with chronic pain should incorporate attempts

to help teachers respond to pain adaptively.