Pain management training in the elderly: Matching interventions with subjects' coping styles

The long‐term beneficial effects of pain management training in homebound elderly were investigated. Sixty‐nine elderly persons were given the Ways of Coping Checklist to determine their coping style. Those who preferred problem‐focused coping were presented with a problem‐focused intervention. Those with an emotion‐focused orientation were matched up with an emotion‐focused intervention. A control group was given a mixed‐focused intervention. Postintervention and follow‐up measures were taken in the 16th week and 24th week, respectively. All three intervention procedures resulted in reduced pain and anxiety, as well as increased satisfaction and adjustment. As predicted, interventions that matched the subject's coping styles were more effective than the control group, with problem‐focused intervention yielding the best results.