Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Childhood maltreatment occurs in 30% of Canadian youth, interrupts normative biopsychosocial development, and results in post-traumatic stress symptoms, reduced ability to regulate emotions, and, consequently, increased risks for the development of chronic pain problems. Indeed, adults who were abused and/or neglected as children report more chronic pain problems compared to adults without a history of maltreatment. Chronic pain is a costly and disabling condition that exacerbates physical and mental health issues and interferes with daily functioning. However, we do not know the contributing factors for, nor the frequency of, chronic pain problems in youth who have been maltreated. The goal of this study is to examine chronic pain problems in youth with a history of child maltreatment. Using a sample of youth with a documented history of maltreatment, we will determine the prevalence and characteristics of their chronic pain problems. We will also identify characteristics of youth exposed to maltreatment who are at greatest risk of developing chronic pain problems and investigate the differences between youth who endured maltreatment and developed chronic pain and those who did not. Finally, we will examine the factors that protect youth who have been maltreated from developing chronic pain. This study is an important first step in detecting and understanding unaddressed needs in the childhood maltreatment context. The study results will inform future interventions to prevent chronic pain problems and support optimal health trajectories in the youth who have endured maltreatment.