Being bullied in childhood, and pain and pain perception in adulthood.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While a number of negative health outcomes have been associated with bullying in childhood, we are not aware of any studies examining relationships between bullying in childhood, and pain symptoms and pain perception in adulthood - the focus of the present study.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional consecutive sample and a self-report survey methodology, we examined among 243 primary-care outpatients a history of being bullied in childhood (yes/no) in relationship to three pain ratings (now, past month, past year) and catastrophic thoughts and feelings about pain as assessed by the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).

RESULTS

Being bullied in childhood was statistically significantly associated with present pain ratings (p < .001) as well as pain ratings over the past month and the past year (p < .01), and with the total score on the PCS as well as each of its sub-scales (i.e. rumination, magnification, helplessness) (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Being bullied in childhood is associated with higher reported levels of pain at various time points as well as greater levels of self-reported catastrophic thoughts and feelings about pain. Importantly, the methodology of this study does not allow for the examination of a causal relationship.