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Papers of the Week


Papers: 21 May 2022 - 27 May 2022

RESEARCH TYPE:
Psychology


2022 May 21


Mil Med

The Lived Experience of Military Women With Chronic Pain: A Phenomenological Study.

Authors

Peppard SW, Burkard J, Georges J, Dye J
Mil Med. 2022 May 21.
PMID: 35596551.

Abstract

Chronic pain, a persistent or recurrent pain lasting more than 3 months, is a widespread problem among military women due to combat-related injuries and post-deployment stressors. Risk factors associated with chronic pain include gender, mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, and prior physical or military sexual trauma. The most common prevalence of chronic pain is musculoskeletal (e.g., low back and neck), migraine, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Following deployment, 25% of military women are at risk for chronic pain. Military women are prescribed opioids for pain at a higher rate than men and are at risk for prescription opioid addiction. The unique medical needs of military women, including chronic pain, are poorly understood by health care providers and need to be addressed to achieve full integration into the military. The purpose of this study was to explore a typical day for military women living with chronic pain by examining the participants' daily life experiences.