Impact of Chronic Pain on the Families of U.S. Adults

Authors

• Jennifer S. De La Rosa, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• Katherine E. Herder, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• Rita D. Romero, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• De'Sha S. Wolf, Portland State UniversityFollow
• Tally M. Largent-Milnes, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• Mohab M. Ibrahim, University of Arizona Health Sciences
• Stacy S. Pigott, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson, AZ, USA
• Greg T. Chism, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• Beth E. Meyerson, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• Julie G. Pilitsis, University of Arizona Health Sciences. Tucson
• multiple additional auhors

Published In

PAIN Reports

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-28-2026

Subjects

Chronic pain, Chronic pain -- Psychological aspects Chronic pain -- Treatment

Abstract

Introduction:. Chronic pain (CP) can profoundly strain family systems, yet few population studies have explored prevalence and population dynamics of CP with high impact on families. Objectives:. Examining prevalence and phenomenological characteristics of chronic pain with high impact on the families of U.S. adults. Situating HICP-family within a tiered cascade of functional impact. Methods:. Prevalence estimated using 2023 National Health Interview Survey Data (n = 29,522) Results:. Findings are as follows: (1) the population prevalence of CP with high impact on families (high-impact chronic pain [HICP]-Family) is 4.4% among U.S. adults, 18.1% among U.S. adults with CP, and 46.3% among U.S. adults with HICP; (2) HICP-Family is almost exclusively reported by those who have HICP that limits their individual functioning in life and work, yet most of those with HICP do not report concomitant HICP-Family; (3) among U.S. adults reporting both HICP and HICP-Family, the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety/depression symptoms is 46.1%; (4) among all U.S. adults with clinically significant anxiety/depression symptoms, the prevalence of HICP and concomitant HICP-Family is 14.9%. Conclusion:. The need to develop effective supports and promote adaptive resilience in families highly affected by CP is clear. Clinical tools to support person-centered assessment of family and relational functioning, development of effective family-level interventions for U.S. adults, and collaborative models of care are needed.

Rights

Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Locate the Document

10.1097/PR9.0000000000001463

DOI

10.1097/PR9.0000000000001463

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/45030

Citation Details

De La Rosa, J. S., Herder, K. E., Romero, R. D., Wolf, D. S., Largent-Milnes, T. M., Ibrahim, M. M., Pigott, S. S., Chism, G. T., Meyerson, B. E., Pilitsis, J. G., Brady, B. R., Huff, A. J., Allen, A. M., Manriquez, M., Piñeda, K., Suhr, K. A., Young, T., Spielberg, F., & Vanderah, T. W. (2026). Impact of chronic pain on the families of U.S. adults. PAIN Reports, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1097/pr9.0000000000001463