Impact of Pain Intensity on Relationship Quality Between Couples Where One Has Back Pain

OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of pain intensity in those with long-term back pain, with their partners' rating of key constructs of relationship quality: cohesion (activities together), consensus (affection, sexual relations), satisfaction (conflict, regrets). METHODS Self-report questionnaires on relationship quality (partner-rated), depression (partner-rated), relationship length, and pain intensity (patient-rated) were collected from back pain patients and their partners (N = 71). Linear regression was carried out to test for associations, standardized coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. RESULTS There was no main effect between patient pain intensity and partner rating of relationship quality. However, partner ratings of relationship quality were lower if the partner reported increasing depressive symptoms. Adjusting for the effects of partner depression show that ratings of consensus (affection, sexual relations) from partners were actually higher with increasing levels of pain intensity in patients (β 0.54, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.90, P < 0.01). Furthermore lower ratings of consensus were reported where patient pain intensity interacted with partner depression (β -0.11, 95% CI-0.19 to -0.03, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings illustrate the association of pain outcomes beyond the patient within a primary care sample. Moderators of the responses about the relationship construct of consensus generated by partners appear to be partners' own level of depressive symptoms and whether their depressive symptoms are associated with the patients' pain intensity. Consultations should consider the social context of patients with pain.