Identifying pain management in chronic pain patients with secure attachment style: A qualitative study

Introduction: chronic pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissuedamage which persists for a minimum of six months. attachment theory has been used to explain how individuals relateto each other during moments of pain. the purpose of this research is to identify pain management in people with chronicpain and secure attachment style.materials and methods: this study was conducted at the pain and neurology clinic of the university kebangsaanmalaysia medical centre from august 2009 to february 2010. 22 female patients with chronic pain were interviewed,using open-ended semi-structured interview guide in english language. data were analyzed using interpretativephenomenological analysis (ipa).results: through ipa technique, ideal support themes were identified with five subthemes; emotional dependence onfamily, emotional closeness to friends, independence and self-sufficiency, preference to be with family, and need forsupport.conclusion: chronic pain patients reported that they needed to be emotionally close with their families during momentsof pain as a coping style to soothe their pain through increased intimacy and closeness. prolonged duration of pain ledthem to change their everyday life activities and increased the need for close relationships. patients with chronic painmay have different forms of coping style. chronic pain suppressed close relationship which may arise between patientsand their family during moments of pain