Exploring pain prevalence, attitudes, and coping strategies: A pilot study

This pilot study aimed to assess the prevalence of pain and explore associated attitudes and coping mechanisms among adults aged 18 to 65. Using an anonymous Qualtrics survey, data were collected from 31 participants who reported their pain frequency, management strategies, and the degree to which pain interfered with their daily lives. Key definitions were established to categorize participants as experiencing no pain, persistent pain, or chronic pain. Results showed that 87% of respondents experienced pain in the last month, with 45.2% reporting chronic pain (pain more than once per week). Over-the-counter medications were the most common management strategy. Factor analysis revealed two main areas of pain interference: Internal Interference, impacting mental well-being, and External Interference, affecting social and occupational functioning. The study highlights the need for further research with larger, more diverse samples and validated measures to improve understanding of chronic pain and its impacts.Key Words: Pain prevalence, Pain perception, Chronic pain